Economic Development News
a publication from the Charlottesville Office of Economic Development April 2010 |
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| OVER 2,000 JOB SEEKERS ATTEND THE 2010 C-VILLE COMMUNITY SPRING JOB FAIR |
 On April 21st, the 2010 Charlottesville Community Spring Job Fair was held at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. The job fair, which is the largest of its kind in Central Virginia, hosted more 150 recruiters from 75 businesses with over 1,000 open positions. A wide variety of industries such as technology, healthcare, government, staffing, and education were represented. Most of the area's largest employers participated in the event, including the UVA Health System, Martha Jefferson Hospital, State Farm, Charlottesville City Schools, and Region Ten Community Services. Many nationally known employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Gold's Gym, and Coca-Cola, which have locations in the Charlottesville area, were also in attendance.
Over 2,000 people attended the fair throughout the day, with job seekers coming not only from the City of Charlottesville and surrounding counties, but also Northern Virginia, Richmond, Lynchburg, and the Valley Area (Waynesboro, Staunton, and Augusta). New to the job fair this year was the addition of onsite workshops for job seekers on the topics of 60 second introductions and job fair follow up. Additionally, community agencies such as the Adult Learning Center and the Charlottesville Workforce Center were available to provide service information to those searching for jobs. A resource room where people could get help with interviewing, résumé writing, etc. was also available, as well as an image room where job seekers could get tips on their wardrobe and free, professional clothing.
The job fair furthers City Council's workforce development efforts by improving employment opportunities for area residents so that all may share in the economic well-being of the City. It was sponsored by the City of Charlottesville in partnership with the County of Albemarle, the Adult Learning Center, the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the International Rescue Committee, National College, the OAR, the Piedmont Workforce Network, the Virginia Employment Commission, and the Virginia Workforce Network. For those who weren't able to attend the event, a list of participating employers and open positions is available on the job fair WEBSITE. |
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| TWO MORE BUSINESSES MOVE DOWNTOWN - VACANCY RATE EXPECTED TO DROP |
Two locally owned businesses are on the move and the destination for each is the City's Historic Downtown Mall. Blue Ridge Eco Shop and Bittersweet are the most recent additions to the downtown mall business community.
Bittersweet, a clothing shop for young women, is moving from its location in the Glass Building on 2nd Street to a vacant space next to the recently restored and reopened Jefferson Theater.
Blue Ridge Eco Shop, which opened in the Preston Plaza Shopping Center in August of 2007, will more than double its footprint when it takes over the former Chinaberry space in the 300 block of East Main Street. According to owner Paige Mattson, "We are very excited to be moving downtown. We want to be part of the energy of the mall." The primary motivation for the move from Preston Plaza is the need for additional floor space to accommodate the growing business. The new space will include an "Eco Design Center" that will allow customers to incorporate the latest in energy efficiency into any size home remodeling project.
The new store, which opens May 3rd, will have regular Sunday hours. To help customers adjust to the new downtown location, Blue Ridge Eco will be offering free delivery as well as parking validation in either nearby parking garage.
With the addition of these two businesses to the five mentioned in last month's newsletter, the Office of Economic Development expects significant improvement to the downtown vacancy rate. The OED conducts the vacancy rate survey, twice annually, in January and July. |
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ALAKAZAM CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY |
 This month, Alakazam Toys celebrated its 5th Anniversary downtown. The locally owned toy store, which opened in spring 2005, specializes in finely made art materials, natural fiber dolls, wooden toys and other unique playthings. Each item sold in the store is hand selected by Cassandra Mathis, co-owner of Alakazam, based on quality and craftsmanship. According to Cassandra, "Opening the store was a new adventure, but we have been lucky to have such good business. It makes the kids happy; it's wonderful to hear them say that that the toys in the store are so cool!"
Currently, Alakazam has plenty of new toys in stock for the spring season. Some of the most popular items include: hex bugs, bike spinners, mood rings, and treasure pouches filled with gemstones. My Little Sandboxes, which are themed miniature sandboxes for children are also available, as well as Green Toys - blocks, cooking sets, jump ropes, etc. that are made out of recycled milk containers.
In addition to offering high quality, specialty inventory, the store's success can also be attributed to its regular hosting of children's events from story hour and face painting to music time and craft activities. In fact, Alakazam will be participating in the Virginia Discovery Museum's family music festival, Discoveroo, which will be held at the Pavilion on May 2nd. There will be plenty of activities at the Alakazam booth, including a raffle with great prizes, freebies for the kids, face painting, and chair massage for adults. Also on May 8th, the store will host a card making workshop for children from 12pm to 3pm in celebration of Mother's Day.
Congratulations to Alakazam on five years in business - we wish you continued success! Be sure to drop by Alakazam at 100 East Main Street on the Downtown Mall to congratulate Cassandra and Yvonne on their years of success! You can also visit the store ONLINE for more information about available toys, special promotions and events, and newsletter sign up. |
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C-VILLE FOODSCAPES LAUNCHES GARDEN GRANTS PROGRAM |
 This May, C-ville Foodscapes, one of the first food-producing gardening business in Charlottesville, will launch its Garden Grants Program in partnership with the Quality Community Council (QCC); a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the City's most challenged neighborhoods.
As part of the program, the public will be able to donate money to QCC for the purpose of granting a free garden to a qualified recipient or recipients. To be eligible for the program, recipients must be a homeowner in the City of Charlottesville who is receiving public assistance of some kind and complete an application including a section on why the applicant wants the garden and what s/he can contribute towards it. Additionally, the applicant must confirm that there is a suitable vegetable garden spot with at least seven hours of direct sunlight per day and access to water and demonstrate the ability to maintain the garden (water, weed, harvest, etc.) in the future.
The deadline for applications for a fall 2010 garden is August 1st, and the award(s) will be made by September 1st. The number of awards granted will be determined by the number of applicants, the amount of money collected, and C-ville Foodscapes' time availability for the work. Fall garden(s) will be installed by September 15th and will consist of a 4' x 8' fall vegetable garden installed in-ground or as a raised bed (determined by needs of recipient, land contour, funds collected, etc.), a planting design, and plants. The recipient(s) will also receive a follow-up food garden consultation the following spring.
If you are interested in donating to the Garden Grant Program or applying for a fall garden, please visit C-ville Foodscapes ONLINE. You can also find out more about the company's full range of services including: garden preparation, garden installation, garden growing, and garden system additions |
| 1ST QUARTER 2010 NEW BUSINESSES |
Almost 200 business licenses were issued during the first quarter of 2010. To view a list, CLICK HERE. |
| PVCC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER OPENS |
Piedmont Virginia Community College's Division of Workforce Services is now offering classes in the newly renovated Stultz Center for Business and Career Development at the corner of College Drive and Route 20. Located in the former Charlottesville-Albemarle Visitors Center, the 9,000-square-foot Stultz Center houses five teaching spaces, a conference room and the division's offices. A grand opening ceremony will be held in June. The facility will allow PVCC's Workforce Services Division to expand its offerings in software applications, information technology (IT) and IT security, and other courses for business; contract training designed for specific employers; noncredit programs in health care, viticulture and enology; and other workforce readiness programs. PVCC's Workforce Services Division serves more than 3,000 students annually in its open enrollment courses and more than 1,500 through contract training it provides to some 50 area employers. For more information about PVCC's Workforce Services Division, call 434.961.5354 or visit the Center ONLINE. |
| THE VIRGINIA FILM SOCIETY AT THE PARAMOUNT |
 The Paramount Theater has joined forces with the Virginia Film Festival to host a series of films throughout the year under the banner of The Virginia Film Society. This partnership, which started in January, has already been a huge success with great turnout and very positive feedback! As a result, the Paramount will continue to to play movies with different themes each month - ensuring great entertainment for all movie lovers! May is Epic Adventure Month with showings of Casablanca (5/3), Seven Samurai (5/10), Lawrence of Arabia (5/17), and Raiders of the Lost Arc (5/24). June, which will feature Meet Me in St. Louis (6/7), Anchors Aweigh (6/21), and 1776 (6/28), is Musical Month.
Be sure to visit the Paramount on the Downtown Mall for great flicks on the largest screen in Central Virginia. All movies are at 7pm unless otherwise noted. Tickets are $6.00 (adult) and $4.00 (youth) and are available by phone at 434-979-1333, at the Paramount Theater Box Office, or ONLINE. |
| CBIC AWARDS GALA |
The Charlottesville Business Innovation Council is hosting its 12th Annual CBIC Awards Gala, celebrating the region's leading individuals and organizations at Farmington Country Club on Wednesday, June 2nd. This year's "Innovation Star Search" theme hints at both the excellence and excitement that characterize the evening, which will feature the star power of 17 finalists vying for top honors in six award categories.
"CBIC is delighted to continue our annual celebration of the region's best and brightest," said Gary Hatter, Chairman of the Board. "For more than a decade, the CBIC Awards have honored those whose technological innovations and entrepreneurial leadership have fueled our economy. In addition to recognizing such achievements, the CBIC Awards Gala has become a not-to-be-missed spring event, with inspiring speakers and honorees, exceptional cuisine and a great opportunity for networking in elegant surroundings - all in all, a delightful gathering of colleagues and friends. We look forward to once again hosting this special occasion, and expect another great turnout to share in the festivities and fun." Seating is limited, so please visit CBIC online for more information and to reserve your tickets today. |
| VIRGINIA CELEBRATES BUSINESS APPRECIATION WEEK - MAY 16 - 22 | |
Join scores of communities across Virginia that will recognize the many benefits businesses bring to the state and local communities. It's a time to thank businesses for all they do - provide jobs, contribute to the tax base, and support charitable causes. In 2010, we highlight the opportunities that Virginia businesses have seized to become successful and the opportunities that they create with their job growth and investment. CLICK HERE for more info on activities and events occurring during the week.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS |
May 1 - SCORE: Starting Your Business - 9:30am-12:30pmThis 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, CLICK HEREor call 434-295-6712.
May 5 - SBDC: Your Business Strategy & Marketing - 8:00am-9:45am
Evaluate your recent marketing efforts. Learn how to target new markets, position product/services, improve pricing and promote your business more effectively. For more information, EMAIL the SBDC or call 434-295-8198.
May 8 - 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, CLICK HERE or call 434-295-6712.
May 10 - 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 the SBDC or call 434-295-8198. May 12 - SBDC: Your Business Strategy: Capital & Operations - 8:00am-9:45am
Evaluate your current financial condition and operations to determine your capacity for growth. Learn how to prepare financially and to configure your operation to handle increased sales. For more information, EMAIL the SBDC or call 434-295-8198.
May 15 - 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, CLICK HERE or call 434-295-6712.
May 22 - 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, CLICK HERE 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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