A screen grab of RichmondJobNet.com, which reported 700,000 page views last year.
Launched as a lifeline when it seemed like the sky was falling, a local jobs website is in search of new owner.
The Greater Richmond Partnership has put up for auction RichmondJobNet.com.
The site was created in fall 2009, when several large Richmond employers had imploded and the effects of the recession were being felt throughout the area.
“It was put together in reaction to the Qimonda, Land America and others that had gone out of business,” said Greg Wingfield, president and chief executive of the Greater Richmond Partnership. “The purpose was to try to keep the talent that was in Richmond here and to match them with jobs.
RichmondJobNet sought to be an aggregator of larger online job boards that zeroed in on positions within a 50-mile radius.
Greg Wingfield
Four years later, the job market is on the mend.
“As the unemployment rate continues to go down, we’re at a point where maybe we can declare victory,” Wingfield said.
The Greater Richmond Partnership is also going through changes that prompted the sale.
The nonprofit organization, funded in part by area localities and private businesses, is refocusing its mission on attracting new businesses and keeping existing businesses in the area. Some of its previous missions, such as talent and workforce development, will be the responsibility of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
“The RichmondJobNet, there’s no place for it in our portfolio,” Wingfield said.
The Greater Richmond Partnership also is changing the way it does major fundraising, Wingfield said. It previously raised funds for five years out. Beginning this year, it will raise money year by year. The 20-year-old organization has a budget of $2.6 million for fiscal 2013-14.
![The RichmondJobNet sale document [PDF]](/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/RichmondJobNet-sale.jpg "Jobs site hopes to catch a new owner 3")
The RichmondJobNet sale document [PDF]
Wingfield sees plenty of upside for a buyer who can find a way for the site generate revenue, something the partnership never sought out to do.
“We’ve never monetized it. I think that’s the big potential,” Wingfield said. “It could be a powerful tool for a for-profit entity. There are a lot of ways to monetize it with advertising and things of that nature.”
Temp agencies and recruiting agencies are target candidates, Wingfield said, adding that he hopes the buyer will be local.
Also up for grabs in the sale are the RichmondJobNet Facebook and Twitter pages and a newsletter contact list.
The partnership doesn’t have a set asking price, and blind bids are due for the site’s auction by Feb. 3. The most valuable offer will be chosen after Feb. 7.
A screen grab of RichmondJobNet.com, which reported 700,000 page views last year.
Launched as a lifeline when it seemed like the sky was falling, a local jobs website is in search of new owner.
The Greater Richmond Partnership has put up for auction RichmondJobNet.com.
The site was created in fall 2009, when several large Richmond employers had imploded and the effects of the recession were being felt throughout the area.
“It was put together in reaction to the Qimonda, Land America and others that had gone out of business,” said Greg Wingfield, president and chief executive of the Greater Richmond Partnership. “The purpose was to try to keep the talent that was in Richmond here and to match them with jobs.
RichmondJobNet sought to be an aggregator of larger online job boards that zeroed in on positions within a 50-mile radius.
Greg Wingfield
Four years later, the job market is on the mend.
“As the unemployment rate continues to go down, we’re at a point where maybe we can declare victory,” Wingfield said.
The Greater Richmond Partnership is also going through changes that prompted the sale.
The nonprofit organization, funded in part by area localities and private businesses, is refocusing its mission on attracting new businesses and keeping existing businesses in the area. Some of its previous missions, such as talent and workforce development, will be the responsibility of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
“The RichmondJobNet, there’s no place for it in our portfolio,” Wingfield said.
The Greater Richmond Partnership also is changing the way it does major fundraising, Wingfield said. It previously raised funds for five years out. Beginning this year, it will raise money year by year. The 20-year-old organization has a budget of $2.6 million for fiscal 2013-14.
The RichmondJobNet sale document [PDF]
Wingfield sees plenty of upside for a buyer who can find a way for the site generate revenue, something the partnership never sought out to do.
“We’ve never monetized it. I think that’s the big potential,” Wingfield said. “It could be a powerful tool for a for-profit entity. There are a lot of ways to monetize it with advertising and things of that nature.”
Temp agencies and recruiting agencies are target candidates, Wingfield said, adding that he hopes the buyer will be local.
Also up for grabs in the sale are the RichmondJobNet Facebook and Twitter pages and a newsletter contact list.
The partnership doesn’t have a set asking price, and blind bids are due for the site’s auction by Feb. 3. The most valuable offer will be chosen after Feb. 7.