Updates from the Office of Economic Development

Countdown to Minority Business Month

For the entire month of September, the Minority Business Program will be hosting and sponsoring virtual events to celebrate business diversity in Charlottesville. The second annual Minority Business Month will include two expos, two panel discussions, and five business development webinars. To see and register for all the events in Minority Business Month, please visit our website. 

City launches Efforts to Rebuild Consumer Confidence

OED recently announced a series of initiatives that are intended to help build consumer confidence and attract customers back to the City’s key commercial districts. These include complimentary customer parking on weekends at downtown garages and hand sanitizing stations for customer use in highly trafficked areas. For more information, please visit our website. 

Better Business Challenge applications now available

Increase your energy efficiency and sustainability with Community Climate Collaborative (C3)'s Better Business Challenge. This sustainability program awards mini-grants to income-qualifying businesses that apply for funding to access energy efficiency goods and/or services. The goal of this grant program is to increase your business's sustainability through daily operations, as well as reap cost savings opportunities, enhance your brand, and engage in a community-wide effort with some great recognition! To access the application, please visit their website. If you want to apply for the energy efficiency grant, please contact Claire Habel (claire@theclimatecollaborative.org). 

Charlottesville Businesses featured in Inc. 5000

Congratulations to SunTribe, Sigora Solar, K2 Dental Arts, WillowTree, CoConstruct, 360 Painting and ProLift Garage Doors for the making the Inc. 5000 List for 2019. These rapidly growing enterprises are key contributors to a healthy economy. With seven representatives from the area, 2019 marks the largest number of Charlottesville businesses ever on the list! Click HERE to view the article. 

Rebuild VA Grant Applications being accepted 

The State of Virginia has launched the Rebuild VA Grant Fund to assist small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.  The application is now available.  Here is the link to complete the Rebuild VA  grant fund application.  

COVID Recovery Grants for Charlottesville and Albemarle

The United Way of Greater Charlottesville is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and the Minority Business Alliance to offer five $10,000 grants to minority-owned small businesses in Charlottesville and Albemarle. Applications are due Tuesday, September 15^th at 5:00pm. Find the application HERE. 

Lowe’s-LISC Grant Partnership

Lowe’s donated a significant $55 million grant to LISC to provide emergency grant assistance that small business desperately need to stay in operation. $30 million will focus on small businesses owned or led by minorities and women. $25 million will support businesses in rural communities. Grants of $20,000 will be made available to help immediate needs. Applications will open Monday, August 31^st. More information can be found HERE. 

2020 Trade Builders Academy program now complete

The Downtown Job Center recently completed another training program. The Trade Builders Academy was a training, to equip successful program participants with the skills needed to assist with the pre-redevelopment of some city public housing sites. Skills obtained included Core Craft, Demolition, Drywall, Framing, Painting, and Flooring. Additionally, the academy participants also received certification and instruction in OSHA 10, Workplace Readiness and CPR/First Aid. Congratulations to the four graduates: Jacquana Mason, Malcolm Gibson, Angela Barnes (Stinnie) and Tilynn Carr. 

OED Awarded Two Grants to Serve Community

The Office of Economic Development has been awarded two separate grants in regards to workforce development and Home to Hope. The Virginia Transit Association has allotted just over $180,000 for its Free Transit Fare for Working Families Grant to assist local job seekers in transportation to positions outside local transit borders through City partner Jaunt, Inc. The second grant was issued by the Red Light Management group in the amount of $20,000 to support the activities of the Home to Hope Peer Support program.