- Attend one of the information sessions listed below.
- Apply here through our intake form between July 13, 2026 and September 25th, 2026.
- Notification to selected applicants between September 25, 2026 and September 30, 2026.
- Approved applicants will attend the 14-week (2 hours per class per week) Certificate in Retail Operations (CROps)** (online only) beginning October 12, 2026 and run through to February 1, 2027 (no class week of Thanksgiving).
- A Community Engagement campaign will be conducted to demonstrate proof of concept during April 2027.
- Once these steps are completed, participants will be given the opportunity to seek funding from ABNB Federal Credit Union.
INFORMATION SESSIONS/TOUR DATES:
Suffolk: Aug 19th 5:00 P.M. at 123 N. Main Street, Suffolk REGISTER HERE
Portsmouth: Aug 25th 5:30 P.M. at Bloom Coworking – 739 High St, Portsmouth REGISTER HERE
Phoebus: Aug 26th 5:00 P.M. at American Legion Post 48 – 15 N. Mallory Street, Hampton REGISTER HERE
Hilton Village: Aug 29th 1:00 P.M. at Women’s Club – 87 Main St, Newport News REGISTER HERE
Norfolk: Sept 14th 5:00 P.M. at Selden Market – 208 E Main St, Norfolk REGISTER HERE
For Questions Contact: Tara Jones retailcatalyst@retailalliance.com
**CROps graduates from the past three years are encouraged to apply and may not be required to repeat the program.