Economic Development News
a publication from the Charlottesville Office of Economic Development January 2010 |
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| SKYLIGHT STUDIO BRINGS ART DOWNTOWN |
 Skylight Studios, located at 108 2nd Street, NW on the Downtown Mall, is an art gallery and studio for Charlottesville artists that opened in September 2009. Co-owned and operated by Kate Barton and Kelly Oakes, the gallery features extensive amounts of artwork from artists throughout the area. Currently, there are four resident artists on site, in addition to 16 artists who have their artwork displayed in the gallery. The walls are filled with pieces created from various mediums including acrylic paintings, carved and modeled wooden sculptures, and charcoal drawings.
In an effort to reach out to the community, the gallery is also offering art classes for children aged three to eleven. The classes are currently held from 4:00pm to 5:00pm on Tuesdays. Although walk-ins are welcome, it is suggested that those interested contact the studio in advance to register. Skylight Studios is also committed to bringing together the arts community of Charlottesville and creating a sense of collaboration among the artists. Currently, community artists meet once a month in order to discuss the steps that can be taken to clear the competitive environment and establish cooperative efforts.
 Current hours of operation are Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 1:00pm to 6:00pm and Friday and Saturday from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. If you are interested in learning more about the studio or how you can get involved with in Charlottesville's arts community, please email Kate or Kelly at skylightcville@gmail.com or call 434-293-3908.
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| CVILLE CLASSIC CARS OPENS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE |
 Cville Classic Cars recently celebrated its grand opening with a community open house. The new business, located at 114 10th St NW in the former Jarman Motorcycle store just off Main Street, is owned by Charlottesville native Bill Hall. After 30 years in the energy industry, Bill and his wife returned to Charlottesville with the thought of retiring in 2006. However, Bill has always had an "itch" to start his own business and decided to marry his passion for classic cars with his entrepreneurial spirit and Cville Classic Cars was born.
Bill worked closely with the Office of Economic Development and Neighborhood Development Services early in the process for help with site selection, business planning and permitting. This effort resulted in an effective re-use of a former motorcycle show room and repair facility that had been vacant for some time. The location offers a show room, garage and paint area, as well as ample office space in a convenient city location.
Cville Classic Cars hopes to help clients enjoy their cars and offers the following services - restorations, customization, sales and consignments, and maintenance. While the business is based in Charlottesville, it offers services both nationally and internationally. So, if you are a car aficionado, stop by and see Bill the next time you are in the neighborhood.
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| 4TH QUARTER 2009 NEW BUSINESSES |
More than 100 business licenses were issued during the fourth quarter of 2009. To view a list, CLICK HERE. |
| CEDA UPDATE - ANNUAL AUDIT & NEW OFFICERS |
At its December meeting, the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority received an unqualified audit from City auditors with the professional accounting firm Cherry, Bekaert, and Holland. Also at the December meeting, Dan Fagan, former vice-chair of the Authority, was elected by the seven member board to a one-year term as chair beginning January 1, 2010. Board member Kristin Henningsen was elected to a one-year term as vice-chair. |
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C-VILLE RANKED 5TH HEALTHIEST CITY BY MEN'S JOURNAL |
 In the February issue of Men's Journal magazine, the City of Charlottesville is listed as one of the healthiest cities to live in the country. The new accounting used information compiled by Sperling's Ranked and Rated in their Best Places to Live survey to give editors a snapshot of long term health conditions. The national magazine looked at quality of life issues that contribute to a healthier lifestyle including: availability of local farms and products, shorter commute times, sidewalk access and pedestrian friendly community, lower pollution levels, available and expanding green spaces, and mild climate and sunny days. The other top ranking cities were 1) Iowa City, IA; 2) Boulder, CO; 3) Logan, UT; 4) Northampton, MA.
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| GET IN THE "Q" - CHAMBER CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN |
 The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce will once again present Quadruplicity, the area's premier, bi-annual conference for over 250 businesswomen that focuses on balancing career, life, money, and health. In an upbeat, professional environment, the event sets the standard for women's success in life and business by offering opportunities for learning, networking, mentoring, personal/professional growth, and leadership development. The event will kickoff with a keynote presentation from Patricia Kluge, Founder and Chairwoman of Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyards. This address will be followed by a "speed networking" session during which time attendees will get the opportunity personally introduce themselves to over 50 other conference goers.
Morning breakout sessions will last an hour and include the topics of negotiating, working fitness into your life, volunteering with a purpose, and making your career the career you want. During lunch, the 2010 Athena Award recipient will be announced and participants will have time to share successes, goals, and obstacles for the coming year.
The afternoon will be filled with more exciting events, including an expert panel that will address your finances during the current economy. Additional professional sessions on topics such as managing your reputation using social media, improving your speaking and communications skills, and learning the art of personal and professional coaching will also be offered. The conference will close with an evening reception and raffle drawing.
Quadruplicity will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010, from 8:00am to 6:00pm at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Charlottesville. Registration is going on now - so don't miss out on this great professional development and networking opportunity. For more information or to register, contact Danielle Fitz-Hugh at the Chamber by calling 434-295-3141 or CLICK HERE. |
| SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING SEMINARS |
The Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently announced its workshop training schedule for the month of February. In addition to its regular offerings such as "How to Start Your Own Business" (February 1st and 15th) and "Developing a Targeted Marketing Strategy" (February 17th), a special "Ask the Expert" panel will be held on February 16th. This panel, which will be more accounting focused, is an excellent resource for entrepreneurs and new business owners alike. Participants will have the opportunity to ask a local CPA any business accounting questions that they may have on topics such as keeping books, tax filing requirements, employee/independent contractor issues, employment taxes, etc. This class is free of charge, but pre-registration is required by emailing sbdc@cstone.net or calling 434-295-8198.
Plans are also underway in the near future to conduct a seminar designed especially for women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses. The SBDC will offer this course as a direct result of the City's recent workforce development efforts. City residents will get priority enrollment in the sessions and will pay a discounted rate.
The goal of the SBDC is to supply business owners with resources and sound advice through training, information resources, and business counseling. The counseling aims to cover all aspects of owning a business, including planning, finding access to capital, operations, manufacturing, financial analysis, recordkeeping, marketing, and international trade. For more information about the SBDC, its course offerings, and how this organization can assist your existing business or startup, CLICK HERE or call 434-295-8198. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
February 1 - SBDC: How to Start Your Own Business - 3:00pm-4:30pm Learn the basics of starting your own business. Located in TJPED conference room at Omni Business Center. Please call to reserve a spot. For more information, email sbdcinfo@ntelos.net or call 434-295-8198.
February 9 - Chamber: Sales Success: What to Do & How to Do It! - 9:00am-12:00pm
Learn how to make a sale in the first three minutes of your sales presentation. For more information, CLICK HERE or call 434-295-3141.
February 13 - SCORE: Starting Your Business - 9:30am-12:30pm
This workshop covers a wide range of topics related to how an aspiring entrepreneur should properly start a small business. At the completion of this workshop, attendees should have learned how to evaluate their business idea and how to properly start a business in Virginia. For more information, visit www.score-494.org or call 434-295-6712. February 15 - SBDC: How to Start Your Own Business - 3:00pm-4:30pm Learn the basics of starting your own business. Located in TJPED conference room at Omni Business Center. Please call to reserve a spot. For more information, email sbdcinfo@ntelos.net or call 434-295-8198.
February 16 - SBDC: Ask the Expert - 3:00pm-4:30pm Get your business accounting questions answered by a local CPA. Located in TJPED conference room at Omni Business Center. Please call to reserve a spot. For more information, email sbdcinfo@ntelos.net or call 434-295-8198.
February 17 - SBDC: Develop a Targeted Marketing Strategy - 3:00pm-4:30pm Learn how to develop an actionable marketing plan to help grow sales profitably. Will address marketing planning, identifying your target market, tools for understanding the competition, and pricing to improve profitability. A resource kit will be provided. For more information, email sbdcinfo@ntelos.net or call 434-295-8198.
February 20 - SCORE: Marketing Your Business - 9:30am-12:30pm This workshop concentrates on the heart of a business plan. At the completion of this workshop, attendees should have learned how to think analytically about these important issues and to use this knowledge to resolve their individual issues in their business plans. For more information, visit www.score-494.org or call 434-295-6712.
February 27 - SCORE: Financial Management of Your Business - 9:30am-12:30pm This workshop analyzes the movement of money into and out of a small business and how to effectively manage these funds. At the completion of this workshop, attendees should have learned the basics of financial projections and financial statements and how these are used to manage a small business. For more information, visit www.score-494.org or call 434-295-6712.
March 6 - SCORE: How to Write an Effective Business Plan - 9:30am-12:30pm This workshop will present a step-by-step analysis of a business plan for a typical small business. At the completion of this workshop, attendees should have learned how to begin constructing their own business plans. For more information, visit www.score-494.org or call 434-295-6712. |
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The Office of Economic Development is the City's primary vehicle for economic development services. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for public and private initiatives that promote the long-term economic vitality of Charlottesville.
The Economic Development staff works to expand the tax base and to provide quality job opportunities for citizens through new business development, retention/expansion initiatives, and workforce training. The Office also coordinates and administers the functions of the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority (CEDA). The Authority issues revenue bonds and assists with front end capital for projects.
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