Updates from the Office of Economic Development

Downtown Job Center Welcomes Melissa Hannah to the Team

The Downtown Job Center added a new member to the team - the new Customer Service Representative, Melissa Hannah! Melissa is originally from Nashville, TN. She came to Charlottesville last year and fell in love with the town. Her hobbies include spending time with my partner and my cat, Marbles, as well as reading, drawing or painting, and playing video games. Her favorite quote is by Audrey Hepburn: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible!” 

Rebuild VA Grant Eligibility Expanded

The Rebuild VA recovery effort launched in August by the commonwealth has expended its eligibility criteria to allow more small business to apply. Businesses that received CARES Act funding (such as PPP, EIDL, EIDL Advance) are now eligible for Rebuild VA Grant Funds of up to $10,000.  Businesses that have received federal funds must certify that they will only use the Rebuild VA grant for recurring expenses and that the grant will not be used to cover the same expenses as the other CARES Act funds.  For more information and to start your application please visit their website. OED encourages all qualifying city businesses in need to make application. If you have questions or need assistance, please let us know.

Charlottesville Business Wins Social Good Award

Congratulations to Antwon Brinson of Culinary Concepts AB for winning the 2020 Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) Social Good Award! Culinary Concepts trains students to learn soft, social, and technical skills for the hospitality industry. Visit the Culinary Concepts AB website.

Chamber Announces New Group

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced the addition of a new Chamber group – Rising Professionals. This group will strive to make connections with young professionals through business development and community engagement. If you’d like to be notified of this group’s notices, click HERE.

Merkle Marketing Presents for Minority Business Month

Thank you to Merkle Marketing (located on the Downtown Mall) for presenting an informative workshop on digital marketing for local minority businesses as a part of Minority Business Month. Now more than ever, it is important for businesses to familiarize themselves with this platform. To watch the recording, click HERE.

MBP Partners with Small Business Development Center

The Central VA Small Business Development Center partnered with the Minority Business Program to bring an e-commerce and website development seminar to the Charlottesville community. Thanks to the Central VA Small Business Development Center for all the hard work they do! To watch the seminar, click HERE.

Minority Business Month Sponsors Leadership Lessons by BWRT

The Chamber’s Business Women’s Round Table hosted their Leadership Lessons during Minority Business Month. This month’s meeting featured Dr. Kelli Palmer, Head of Global Diversity and Inclusion with CFA Institute. Watch the Facebook Live HERE.

Minority Business Alliance Presents Financial Workshop

The Chamber’s Minority Business Alliance hosted their monthly meeting on Zoom to educate the community on financial literacy. The Minority Business Alliance is focused on supporting and promoting minority businesses as well as leveraging local businesses and nonprofit partners to expand community wealth building. To watch the Facebook Live recording, click HERE.

Home to Hope Peer Navigator Joins Haven Board

Home to Hopes’ Peer Navigator Ramanda Jackson has recently been nominated for the Haven Board. Ramanda was unanimously voted in as a member of The Haven Board in August, and she currently sits as an active member of the board. Ramanda attended her first of many to come board meetings in mid-September and looks forward to the work ahead of her in hopes to be a part of the solution to help end homelessness in our community. We look forward to seeing her progress in this new role.

Passiflora Opens on the Downtown Mall

The Champion Hospitality Group has opened a new restaurant in the former Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar location. The food at Passiflora is Baja Mediterranean inspired. The bar program will be focused heavily on tequila and rum-based cocktails with a wine list leaning towards natural wines.

OED Assists The Corner Merchants Association

Working with Corner restaurants, OED staff helped the Corner Merchants Association to compile a catering menu for their membership. The menu is a collection of businesses that have identified $8/$10/$12 boxed meals. Like many restaurants, the loss of lunchtime traffic has negatively impacted these restaurants and the CMA has banded together to give potential customers an easier process to place catered orders. Check it out here!