Updates from the Office of Economic Development

Innovative Software Solutions Accepted into Economic Gardening Program

Innovative Software Solutions, a locally owned and operated technology solutions provider headquarter in McIntire Business Park, has been accepted into VEDP’s Economic Gardening program. The program is geared towards emerging stage 2 businesses that are interested in growing domestic sales. The program provides second stage companies with customized resources to identify and resolve distinct growth challenges to focus on accelerating domestic growth through customized market research, SEO and providing qualified sales leads. The Office Economic Development (OED) regularly assesses company fit for the program during its business visitation process and guides principals through the application process in conjunction with VEDP. For more about Economic Gardening click HERE.

Art Installation on the Downtown Mall

Local photographer Eze Amos has created an art exhibit entitled “The Story of Us: Reclaiming the Narrative of Charlottesville Through Storytelling and Portraits of Community Resilience.” The theme is one of hope and resilience and images will be on display in the trees on the downtown mall from August 11- September 29.

OED Fun Fact

August is National Black Business Month. Historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick Jordan founded National Black Business Month in 2004. According to the 2019 Annual Business Survey conducted by the Census Bureau, Blacks or African Americans owned approximately 124,551 businesses in the U.S. To help support local Black Businesses please consult the Black Business Guide.

Fourth Round of BRACE Grant Offered to Assist City Businesses

The Office of Economic Development is excited to offer a fourth round of the Building Resilience Among Charlottesville Entrepreneurs (BRACE) Grant. This program is a matching, reimbursable grant of up to $2,500 (for new recipients) or $1,250 (for previous recipients) to help offset qualifying expenses incurred by City businesses. The business is required to provide a 30% match for the City’s contribution. The applicant must be for-profit business or a non-profit organization that is focused on hospitality, tourism, or supporting economic development/business causes. Businesses must be located inside the City limits. Applications will be accepted from August 15, 2022 at 9:00 AM until September 2, 2022 at 5:00 PM. Expenses incurred between May 1, 2022 and September 2, 2022 are eligible. Interested businesses can apply here.

4th Street to Close on August 11th - 15th

Please be advised that 4^th Street (Heather Heyer Way) will be closed from August 11^th at 6:00 PM to August 15^th at 6:30 AM. This closure will affect the portion of 4^th Street between Market Street and Water Street. Limited trash pickup will be available; however, the street will not be open for deliveries.

Business Women's Round Table Luncheon

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Women’s Round Table will be hosting a Fall Kick Off Luncheon on August 18, 2022. This event implements the organizations mission, which is to honor, engage and inspire each other so that they elevate women’s professional presence. To register click here.

Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo

The Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo will be hosted on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at IX Art Park, 522 2nd St SE. The event, which is part of Minority Business Month, will occur from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM. This year’s expo will contain panel discussions, business pitch contest, live music and DJ sets and entertainment. Business Registration is now open and free of charge. REGISTER HERE

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.

Money and Recordkeeping – August 17^th at 10:00 am PREREGISTER

SBDC to Grow, Build or Expand your Business – August 23^rd at 6:30 pm PREREGISTER