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Updates from the Office of Economic Development
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The Recovery Roadmap: A Plan for Business Recovery in Charlottesville is Underway
The Office of Economic Development is engaging the business community in a recovery planning effort this spring. The City Council has indicated that economic recovery of local businesses from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is a top near-term priority. OED is now seeking broad participation from City business owners that will help inform a series of immediate action items that the City can pursue to assist with recovery. Space is still available in the March 18th session. Please join us to ensure your voice is heard. Advance registration is required. To register, click HERE
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American Rescue Plan Information
Confused about the most recent stimulus bill and what it means for you and your business? Our friends at Brown Edwards have provided the following summary outlining each part of the bill and what that means for your bottom line. To view, please click HERE.
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Second Round of GO EXPRESS TRAINING SERIES
The Downtown Job Center is launching the second round of virtual, mini classes that are free and open to the public. These classes are designed to enhance professional or personal development. Upon completion of each course, participants will earn a certificate.
Speak Like a Pro: Presentation Techniques – April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd from 9am - 12pm: PREREGISTER
Leadership Express – April 6th, 7th, and 8th from 1pm - 5pm: PREREGISTER
Entrepreneurship Express – April 12th, 14th, and 15th from 4pm - 7pm: PREREGISTER
Web Coding 101: An Intro to HTML and CSS – April 19th - April 23rd from 4pm - 6pm: PREREGISTER
Social Media Marketing 101 – April 26th, 27th, and 28th from 9am – 12pm: PREREGISTER
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Fourth GO Start-Up Virtual Training Class Completed
The Minority Business Program’s fourth GO Start-Up class graduated virtually on Friday, March 5th. Nine City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle residents gave a graduation speech and pitches their businesses to families, community members, and program supporters. Congratulations once again to Destiny Moore (Moore by Destiny, LLC), Keyanna Cabell (Riqkey Transportation & Logistics, LLC), Mariah Bowles (Gemini Collections, LLC), Max Via (Flying Pigs Press, LLC), Najeeba Popal (Angel’s Afghan Cuisine, LLC), Shaniqua Brown (Flower Power VA, LLC), Shaquille Thompkins (Officially Stamped, LLC), Tamrah Payne (Tasami Natural, LLC), and Tyrone Thomas (Ty’s Soul Food Kitchen and Catering, LLC) on completing the program! |
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Minority Business Commission Hosted Focus Groups
The City of Charlottesville Minority Business Commission (MBC) hosted two focus groups with City of Charlottesville minority-owned businesses to better understand the needs and wants from the minority-business community. The first focus group was held by Chair of the Commission Mark Menafee and the second focus group was held by Board Member Bellamy Brown. The purpose of the focus groups was to get feedback from minority-business owners and make them aware of the MBC. The MBC wants to engage with minority-business owners and provide any webinars, trainings, or programing to benefit the Charlottesville community. Meals were provided by graduates of GO Start-Up, the Minority Business Program's entrepreneurship training program. Thank you to Tyrone Thomas (Ty’s Soul Food Kitchen and Catering, LLC), Yolanda Adams (Southern Sips and Sweets, LLC), and Norkeita Goins (Caked Up Cville, LLC) for providing their services to the City and the minority-business community! |
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New Business Starts in Charlottesville to Address Mobility Challenges
VisitAble is a new start-up in Charlottesville creating a Training Certification to help both public and private entities attract and provide the best experience possible for their current and potential visitors with mobility challenges. The certification process is a tool to test, improve, and broadcast mobility access and disability etiquette, and is coupled with a database of mobility information to help potential visitors with mobility issues see how accessible an establishment or facility is. For more information, please visit their website.
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Small Business Development Center New Stimulus Webinars
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant This webinar will present some information for applicants to prepare for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application that is currently scheduled to open in early April. While all the details for the program have not been finalized, there are some advance steps that businesses may need to do now to better prepare for the application process.
March 17th at 12pm: PREREGISTER
Restaurant Revitalization Fund This webinar will present some information for applicants to prepare for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund application that is currently scheduled to open in early April. While all the details for the program have not been finalized, there are some advance steps that businesses may need to do now to better prepare for the application process.
March 18th at 2pm: PREREGISTER
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C3 and City Award Mini-Grants for Energy Efficiency Projects
The Community Climate Collaborative (C3) in partnership with the Office of Economic Development has awarded five mini-grants to minority-owned businesses to help them implement energy efficiency projects. Award winners were able to purchase Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and other energy-savings products and services, helping their business’ bottom line and reducing local greenhouse gas emissions. This is the third year of this mini-grant partnership as a part of C3’s Better Business Challenge, a friendly competition aimed at helping businesses and nonprofits reduce their climate impacts related to energy, water, and waste. Congratulations to Little Manila, Soul Food Joint, Mixed Beauty Bar, Loyal Beyond Beauty, and ROW Services!
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Need a Website?
The City and County Offices of Economic Development are supporting a CVSBDC pilot program to help with the creation of simple websites for businesses that don’t have them. The goal is to drive business profitability, allowing the businesses to invest in larger web development needs in the future, if needed. The websites will be built at no cost to the business owner. For more information and the application, click HERE.
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Upcoming Webinars from CVSBDC
CV SBDC is a team of business and technical experts available to listen, advise and assist entrepreneurs, confidentially and free of charge. They offer 1:1 assistance, connection to curated research, access to technical experts and professionals, and timely events and training.
Starting Your Business – March 25th at 3pm: PREREGISTER
Make Your Website Work For You: Google Workshop – March 31st at 10am: PREREGISTER
Managing Your WordPress Website – April 1st at 12pm: PREREGISTER
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