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“If SBDC doesn’t have the information you’re looking for, they’ll find someone who does,” she concludes.
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“I plan to reach out to the SBDC about that as well.”Ĭynthia enthusiastically recommends the SBDC. Learn about the water quality process and filtration systems behind the Chesapeake Bay Aquarium, a 50,000-gallon exhibit that cycles 600 gallons of water per minute. “I recently found out about another federal grant for entities that provide STEM education,” Cynthia says. The Virginia Aquarium is home to a massive network of water processing infrastructure. With the end of the pandemic not yet in sight, the aquarium plans to maintain its relationship with the SBDC. “With COVID, our educational programs all went virtual, so now we’re able to get programs into more school systems across the state. Join us on an unforgettable 90-minute excursion offering unparalleled close-up observations of bottlenose dolphins Staff & volunteers trained by Aquarium experts share a program based on our three decades of experience and provide discussions on incredible dolphin behaviors and what is being done to conserve the species. “COVID did have a few shining lights,” Cynthia says. “Jim walked me through the accounting with that as well.”Ĭynthia views the SBDC as the lifeline that connected the aquarium with much-needed grant funding to continue operations and implement COVID-related changes. “July was the start of a new fiscal year, and I had to figure out which expenses to report in which fiscal year,” Cynthia adds. The aquarium received a grant for $4.5 million in July 2021, which presented an accounting problem. “We lost significant revenue due to COVID, so the SBDC’s help in applying for that grant was especially valuable.” “Jim helped me with the nuances in language in the grant application,” Cynthia says. The SBDC provided clarification on all of those questions. What documents could I print from the city’s payroll system? I had a whole list of questions.” Another challenge was to document payroll. “For example, they asked for a tax return, but the city of Virginia Beach doesn’t have one. “We’re a government entity and that made the process of applying more complicated,” she relates. When the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant for entertainment, museum, and theater venues was announced, Cynthia called the SBDC. “That’s where I met Jim Carroll, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads SBDC,” Cynthia relates.
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It was her work for the Department of Economic Development that led her to the SBDC. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is open most days of the week. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center works in the aquarium industry with a customer rating of 4.5. In 2020, when COVID challenged the aquarium’s mission, Director Cynthia Spanoulis wisely turned to the Hampton Roads SBDC for help.Ĭynthia, who holds a master’s degree in public administration, started her career in economic development. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is located at 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, USA with latitude 36.8212055 and longitude -75.9835881. Since 1986, the Virginia Aquarium has offered a uniquely personal view of the marine environment.