Updates from the Office of Economic Development

OED Awards a Second Round of Small Business Relief Grants

The Office of Economic Development (OED) is pleased to announce that 123 small businesses were awarded funds from the second round of the Small Business Relief Grant (SBRG) program. The program received 63 new qualified applications between October 19th and October 23rd and funded 60 previously received and qualified applicants from the initial round of applications in July. Nine event focused non-profit organizations received relief funding as well. Of those successful applicants 70% qualified to receive $5,000 with the remaining 30% eligible to receive $10,000. The grant amount is directly related to the size of the business. 30% of recipients identified as business owners who are socially disadvantaged (i.e., those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as members of a group) and 25% identified as minority-owned city business owners. In total, the OED has awarded $1.6 million in Small Business Grants to City-based businesses.

The Hive
“Covering the rent was our main concern during the pandemic. The money from the Office of Economic Development has helped us stay open.”

Oasis Day Spa & Body Shop
“The money from the Small Business Relief Grant has been integral to our business to surviving during these financial times.”

Sombrero’s Mexican Cuisine & Café

“With the funds from the Office of Economic Development, we are definitely going to be able to keep our doors open during this challenging time.”

New Partnership with Home to Hope Program

The Home to Hope program is proud to announce a new partnership with Ronnie Megginson, Owner of Kulture Vibez Clothing Store located in the City of Charlottesville. Kulture Vibez sells urban styles from many designers including clothing lines from local Charlottesville business owners. Kulture Vibez is partnering with the City's Home to Hope program to donate clothing to recently released participants. If you'd like to partner with Home to Hope, please contact via email.

Carroll Dyke (CJ) Joins Office of Economic Development Team

Carroll Dyke, better known as CJ, recently joined the Home to Hope team as an intern Peer Recovery Specialist. He is originally from Richmond, VA and has been living in Charlottesville since 2012. “Home to Hope has taught me so much! I want to be able to give back to the community what has been given to me.” Carroll is very passionate in helping others. “Now, I have an opportunity to help others and I am so grateful.”

Financial Literacy Program Provided by Downtown Job Center

Our City Housing Relief Fund has several requirements that must be completed in order for participants to remain eligible for funding. One of those requirements is financial literacy. The Downtown Job Center provides the financial literacy through BankOn programming. Housing Relief Fund participants attend a bi-weekly workshop on basic finance principles. The group also shares personal experiences and encourage one another to think differently when it comes to managing finances. The instructors are Roy Fitch and Whitmore Merrick. Anyone interested in more information concerning BankOn can reach out to the Downtown Job Center email.

Governor Northam Updates Phase Three Guidelines

On November 13^th, Governor Northam amended Virginia’s guidelines for dealing with the COVID-19 virus. As part of the new executive order, restaurants and similar establishments will no longer be able to sell alcoholic beverages past 10pm, although off site sales are still permitted. All restaurants and similar establishments will now be required to close from 12am to 5pm. All public and private in-person gatherings are prohibited from more than 25 individuals. The presence of more than 25 individuals performing functions of their employment or assembled in an educational instructional setting is not a “gathering.” For questions regarding business impacts and how this ordinance relates to City Council’s Emergency Ordinance, contact our office for assistance.

Random Row Brewing Co. Wins Bronze

A big congratulations to Random Row Brewing Co. on winning a bronze at the Great American Beer Festival! Random Row’s Mosaic Pale Ale won the 2020 bronze medal at this year’s Great American Beer Festival which was held on October 16 and 17^th. The Mosaic Pale Ale placed third out of 137 total entries in the “juicy hazy pale ale category”. See the full story.

New Restaurant Opening on West Main

The Thompson Hospitality Group plans to open, The Ridley, a new restaurant in The Draftsman Hotel at 1106 West Main Street. The restaurant’s name honors Dr. Walter Ridley, the first African American to earn a doctoral degree from UVa, while becoming the first African American to earn a graduate degree from a traditional Southern white university in 1953. Dr. Ridley went on to a distinguished academic career at several higher education institutions. The restaurant is scheduled to open on January 1^st, 2021, serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. To learn more about The Ridley, visit their website.