Updates from the Office of Economic Development

OED Small Business Relief Grant 2.0 Application Closes Tomorrow

The Office of Economic Development’s Small Business Relief Grant will be closing Friday, October 23^rd at 3pm. Priority is given to those businesses that are considered retail, restaurant, hospitality, tourism, and service related. A limited amount of grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations, whose primary focus is connected to hospitality, tourism, or supporting economic development/business causes. Please visit our website to read more information and watch the webinar on how to apply.

Small Business Development Center Hosts ‘Holiday Retail Webinar Series'

The Central VA Small Business Development Center will be hosting a series of webinars over the course of the month called ‘Holiday Retail Webinar Series.’ Marc Wilson, a Small Business Strategist, has 40 years’ experience helping retail, restaurant, and tourism-related small businesses. Below are the remaining webinars that are free of charge to the public. 

Fulfillment Pivot – Pack It & Ship It
October 23^rd from 8:30am to 10:30am
REGISTER HERE
This webinar will take a deep dive into packing and shipping in a climate of increased online sales. 

eCommerce for Retailers
October 28^th from 8:30am to 10:30am
REGISTER HERE
This webinar will discuss unique online offers to reach people who are not yet comfortable shopping in person. 

Coopetition
October 30^th from 8:30am to 10:30am
REGISTER HERE
This webinar is an interactive discussion to co-promote and marketing businesses together as community.  

MarieBette Bakery Gives Back to Community

Cheers to the owners of MarieBette for being involved in our community in the For Goodness Bakes program in concert with King Arthur Baking Company. See the picture of the owners with their tray of donated croissants and read all about it on the King Arthur Baking blog. 

City Reduces Costs for Café Rentals and Parking Spaces

In partnership with the Neighborhood Development Services, OED staff proposed several measures to help decrease costs for City-based restaurants. For restaurants that rent café space on the Downtown Mall and The Corner, rent would be waived for March and April of this year. All other months would have the rent reduced 50% to help restaurants during the COVID pandemic. Additionally, restaurants wishing to rent a public parking space in an effort to increase outdoor dining adjacent to their business would do so with a 50% reduction in cost.
 
City Council unanimously passed the resolution 5-0 during their October 19^th meeting.

OED Explores Opportunity to Assist City-based Restaurants for Winter Months

The City of Charlottesville’s Office of Economic Development is exploring the possibility of assisting City-based restaurants with expenses related to tent rentals this fall. Through this potential program, the City subsidize a portion of the cost and lessen the amount for restaurants. If your restaurant is interested in obtaining an estimate for a seasonal tent rental, please contact Jason Ness – by October 27^th.