Updates from the Office of Economic Development

Charlottesville’s Grand Illumination

The City of Charlottesville will be hosting its annual Grand Illumination Friday, December 4^th on NBC29/CW29 from 6pm to 8pm. This year’s Holiday Concert Special will be featuring numerous performances on the Paramount Theatre stage. Visit the website to learn more. The City of Charlottesville has also provided complementary parking on the weekends through the end of the year in Market Street Garage and Water Street Garage.

Buy Local, Support Your Community

The City, County and Chamber of Commerce are partnering to promote the importance of buying local this holiday season. Now more than ever our local businesses need the community’s support in the form of local purchasing. In fact, the American Independent Business Alliance reports that each $100 spent at a local business generates $45 of secondary local spending, compared to $14 for purchasing at a chain, or only a single dollar when spent on national online shopping.  By using a combination of CARES funding and local funds, we are placing ads on the airwaves, local TV stations, social media and in print. We’re purchasing buy local masks for distribution and our partners at the CACVB and others are helping to amplify this message. We hope you will join us in helping our community with economic recovery.

Downtown Charlottesville Launches Gift Card Program

Led by the Downtown Business Association of Charlottesville (DBAC), customers are now able to support downtown businesses by purchasing gift cards. Over 20 local businesses have already signed up to accept gift cards. These gift cards can be purchased online or in person at Magpie Knits or Darling Boutique. Additionally, a gift card kiosk will be installed in York Place. For more information or to purchase gift cards, visit the website. 

Holiday Marketing Workshop

The Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) will be hosting a workshop called, ‘How to Create Holiday Marketing Visuals’ in time for holiday season. This informative workshop will be useful to businesses who want to market to the community for the upcoming holidays. The workshop will be held on Friday, December 4^th at 12pm. For more information and to receive the link to join this event, please email Carolina Medina with CIC.

2021 Strategic Planning with CVSBDC

The Central VA Small Business Development Center is now scheduling meetings to work with individuals and teams on strategic planning for the new year. They will identify business and technical resources that will work for your business. SBDC services are free and confidential. Get a head start to the new year. Call (434-295-8198) or email to schedule a consultation. Be sure to visit their website for a list of their remaining business workshops this month.