RUSTBURG, VA - Campbell County Economic Development is pleased to announce The Learning Edge Tutoring Center in Rustburg has received a $5,000 Start Small Campbell Grant. Business owner and entrepreneur Leah Carwile received the congratulations of Campbell County Rustburg District Supervisor Jon Hardie and Economic Development staff for the award at the Citizen Services Building on January 21, 2025.

The Start Small Campbell Grant Program is available to new businesses in Campbell County. As part of the grant application, business owners receive entrepreneurial training and develop a business plan with financial projections that show the viability of the business over several years. The Learning Edge Tutoring Center is the eighth business to receive the grant since Campbell County began funding the program in 2021.  

Reflecting on the grant application process and completing the business plan and financial projections, Carwile said “I feel like even though my business is two and a half years old and coming up on that three-year mark, it was really good for me because it made me reevaluate everything, and ask myself ‘Why did I decide to do that?,’ ‘Is it working?,’ ‘Is it not working?’ It really made me think about my business model.”

Carwile, a licensed veteran teacher, indicated plans to use the grant funding to market the business and purchase instructional resources to support the ongoing expansion of the learning facility. Currently she tutors the elementary age students, employs a second tutor to work with students in grades 7-12, and is looking to hire a third tutor was the business continues to grow.  

Carwile spoke with economic development staff about the care she took developing her grant application. “I knew I wanted to be proud of what I produced for the Center itself, not just for the grant,” said Carwile. “I wanted to make sure that the business plan was something that would help me and the Center in the future, not just for the application.”   

Carwile opened The Learning Edge Tutoring Center in 2022 and offers academic tutoring and instructional support for K-12 students by appointment. The business is located at 815 Village Highway, Suite A in Rustburg and is open 9:00am-7:00pm Monday through Friday. This year, Carwile plans to expand to offer Saturday appointments and hire an additional tutor to serve more students. The center’s current clientele is varied in ages and needs. They include public school, private school, and homeschooled students from all corners of Campbell County and as far off as Appomattox County and Lynchburg. Following the presentation, Hardie and Carwile spoke with Economic Development staff about the general benefits tutoring can offer students. 

“One-on-one assistance really allows you break through and help students understand what they are not understanding or where their problems may lie,” said Hardie. “Seeing how students think, he continued “that’s the enjoyment of sitting down with a student one-on-one is you can see how they are thinking, you can see what concepts they may not understand and where those gaps may be and allows you to fill in those gaps.”   

A Start Small Campbell Grant Info Session will be held at Timbrook Library on February 25th at 6:30 pm for entrepreneurs considering applying before the spring 2025 deadline of April 28, 2025. Registration is required so materials can be prepared, but there is no fee to attend. The registration form is located on the Campbell County Economic Development website campbellvirginia.com. 

For more information about the Start Small Campbell Grant Program, visit CampbellVirginia.com, call (434) 332-9643, or email Business Programs Coordinator Claude Dixon at cadixon@co.campbell.va.us. 

About the Learning Edge Tutoring Center

Founded in 2022 by licensed veteran teacher Mrs. Leah Carwile, The Learning Edge Tutoring Center, LLC, specializes in highly effective and research-driven K-12 academic tutoring and educational support services for the residents of Campbell County and neighboring areas. The center actively provides instructional support to all K-12 students by appointment. The center’s mission is to provide convenient, private, personalized support that prepares each student for continued success. The Learning Edge Tutoring Center, LLC offers on-demand and flexible scheduling to students in all educational models and ensures guaranteed access to licensed professionals during every visit. Learning Edge All Learning Edge tutoring lessons are differentiated and utilize best teaching practices to ensure the quick mastery and continued success of every student it serves. 

About Campbell County

Campbell County is located in Central Virginia, strategically positioned between the Cities of Lynchburg and Danville. Encompassing 511 square miles, Campbell County residents enjoy neighborhood options ranging from scenic agricultural areas to suburban corridors and town living. A high quality of life, lower cost of living, and business-friendly policies make Campbell County an exceptional place to work, play, and live.

High resolution photos are available upon request. Email Molly Eden, Campbell County Economic Development Specialist at mheden@co.campbell.va.us or call (434)332-9869.