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Message From The Director

Dear Stakeholders,

Greetings and welcome to the annual update from the Office of Economic Development.

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American author Robert Collier once said, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” As I look back on 2022, that phrase seems to capture OED’s work as our collective efforts continued to positively impact the business community.

Internally, we onboarded two new staff members to help with business development and workforce development as we continued rebuilding the OED team. To better foster connection and increase communication as we emerged from the pandemic, we instituted a daily in person morning huddle which provides a regular opportunity to check-in with one another.

We were pleased to engage on a number of issues with the newly formed downtown business group - Friends of Charlottesville Downtown. Friends brought a new energy and dedicated staff to the challenges and opportunities of our downtown. Installing an art-wrap on the unfinished mall front hotel and securing new public access to restrooms on the mall exemplify our collaboration.

In our role managing the City’s off-street parking assets, OED participated in the renegotiation of the City/County Courts agreement, of which, access to parking is critical. The amended agreement, which has been approved by both governing bodies, provides the County with sufficient access to parking to proceed with the major renovation of the Levy Opera House for use as a new court complex. In addition, OED led the effort to purchase an existing surface parking lot on Jefferson Street to help replace lost inventory.

At the end of the year, the Economic Development Authority received notice that a grant in support of the Black Entrepreneurial Advancement and Community Opportunity Network (BEACON) commercial kitchen had been awarded by the Governor. The BEACON kitchen will offer lower rental fees, helping producers overcome a barrier to entry for food startups.

In 2023, OED is excited to move forward with a consultant led process to develop a new five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City. Resonance Consultancy will lead the engagement and will provide strategic direction by identifying key opportunities for future growth and partnerships.

In his book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, author Richard Carlson poses the question: “Will this matter a year from now?” As we consider the value of a new strategic direction, we are asking ourselves “what will matter in a year or more,” in an effort to capture initiatives that truly drive economic vitality.

Onward! Thank you for your continued support of Charlottesville’s business community.

Sincerely,

Chris Engel Director, Office of Economic Development

BY THE NUMBERS

BRACE

GRANTS AWARDED TO SMALL BUSINESSES

ASSISTED OVER60 PARTICIPANTS 15 IN 2022 COMPLETED THE GO START-UP PROGRAM

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED

SERVED OVER 150 City businesses since 2016 employees

51 participants have completed the program since inception in 2020

VISITATION PROGRAM

150 BUSINESS VISITS conducted in 2022

BUSINESS

12 LOANS IN PLACE TOTALING $157,715

37 60k 23

PEOPLE REACHED EVENTS PROMOTED

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