Updates from the Office of Economic Development

Building Supportive Ecosystems for Black-Owned US Businesses

As the global economy steadily recovers from the long-term impacts of COVID-19, many organizations are focusing on community-based outreach for small-owned businesses. The City of Charlottesville’s Minority Business Program is a resource for City based minority owned businesses. According to a recent report by McKinsey & Company, “entrepreneurship and business ownership—particularly of community-based businesses—are crucial ways to develop community wealth, for both business owners and the people they employ. Healthy Black-owned businesses could be a critical component for closing the United States’ Black–white wealth gap, which is projected to cost the economy $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion (in 2018 dollars) per year by 2028. The COVID-19 crisis, however, has further stressed Black-owned businesses and may cause the racial wealth gap to widen.” To read the full report click HERE. The Minority Business Program offers business assistance, resources, business consultation, directories, vendor registration and networking opportunities. For more information, contact Ajoni Wynn-Floyd at 434-970-3514 or mbp@charlottesville.org.

Bread & Roses Kitchen Adds Equipment

The Office of Economic Development (OED) recently joined Bread & Roses for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of a new walk in cooler. Bread & Roses is an outreach ministry of Trinity Episcopal Church that provides access to a commercial commissary kitchen for early stage food and beverage start-ups. OED’s Building Resilience Among Charlottesville Entrepreneurs (BRACE) grant provided funding support for the addition of the cooler. Since its inception in 2015, Bread & Roses has assisted 20 start-ups with access to a certified commercial kitchen with many also receiving support from OED. The new cooler will enhance efficiency, add capacity to the facility, and increase access for aspiring culinary entrepreneurs.

OED Fun Fact

Juneteenth, also known as Jubliee Day, is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The day was first celebrated in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1866 and became a federally recognized holiday in 2021. There are many opportunities to celebrate in the Charlottesville area, click HERE for more information.

Minority Enterprise Grant

The Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greater Charlottesville have announced an additional grant opportunity. Eligible minority-owned businesses can use the funds for equipment, operating expenses and inventory. Applications are due by noon on July 1, 2022. For more information click HERE.

Local Restaurant Putting New Spin on "Food Hall"

Multiverse Kitchen opened in early fall 2021 with the goal of providing great food that travels well. Owner and operator Harrison Keevil, a UVA graduate, has long been part of the City’s food scene. Multiverse Kitchen offers seven different restaurant concepts rolled into one, all strategically designed for dine-in or carry-out orders. The restaurants – Fowl Mouthed Chicken, Firebox, Brookville Biscuit + Brunch, Keevil Tea Room, Smashing Salads, Long Strange Chip, and Toad in the Hole – are all designed using local ingredients and recipes that are meant to travel. The restaurant is located in the McIntire Plaza shopping center. For more information on the restaurant, please click here.

Brews On High

The old Wells Fargo building on East High and Locust Ave. has a fresh face – Brews On High opened for business this month. The owners, Monique Boatwright and Allie Cheronis have worked together for years and are undertaking a new mission. Coffee and baked goods are available. Look for their drive-thru opening by the end of summer. Welcome!

Businesses Can Now Partner with UVA Athletes

Thanks to recent modifications to NCAA guidelines, college athletes can now benefit from their name, image, and likeness in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. Businesses seeking to market themselves can now utilize UVA athletes in a variety of manners, including personal appearances, meet and greets, social media promotions, autograph sessions, and media interviews. Cavalier Futures, a non-profit organization here in Charlottesville, was created to assist in connecting businesses to athletes. Business owners that are interested in this opportunity are encouraged to visit the Cavalier Futures website for more information.

Consider UVA's School of Continuing & Professional Studies

Are you interested in advancing your career with a new certificate or degree? If so, the University of Virginia has some exciting new opportunities provided by the School of Continuing & Professional Studies. They provide relevant certifications focused on growing job-related skills. They also provide courses that count towards continued education, program tracks or advanced degrees. Subjects include Information Technology, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Leadership, and Project Management to name a few. Student Financial Aid may apply. An informational online event will take place Thursday June 16^th from 6pm to 7pm. Registration is required. For more information on this opportunity and the exciting opportunity it presents, please contact Roy Fitch at 434-970-3959 or fitchrl@charlottesville.gov.

CIC Entrepreneur Workshop

Take your business to the next level! This hands-on course enables entrepreneurs to determine whether their business is viable, develop an initial plan for launching or growing their business, and learn the fundamentals of how to act on that plan. Click here to kick start your business.

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.

Funding for Later-Stage start-ups – June 16^th at 2:00 pm PREREGISTER

Starting Your Business – June 23^rd at 3:00 pm PREREGISTER

Selling to the Commonwealth: SWaM Certification – June 29^th at 10:00 am PREREGISTER