City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development

09/06/2026

Looking for a place to shop, eat, catch a movie and unwind? Visit the Charlottesville Downtown Mall and support local businesses while enjoying great vibes and great food!

09/03/2026

Charlottesville has made it to the final round of voting for the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Top Adventure Towns 2026 contest!

If you agree with us that Visit Charlottesville is one of the best outdoor adventure area in all of Virginia, you can visit https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/toptowns/ and cast your vote under the "Medium Adventure Town" category.

Voting ends at 12:00 pm, this Monday, September 7th. Don't wait, make your voice heard today!

09/01/2026

Read all the latest information from your friendly OED staff: https://www.charlottesville.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16646/OED-Newsletter---August-27-2026?bidId=

08/31/2026

Looking to expand your network, make new connections, and strengthen our community? Join us for Coffee & Conversations on Friday, September 11!

This free, casual networking event brings together jobseekers, employers, and community partners for an hour of conversation, connection, and complimentary coffee. Whether you're looking for your next opportunity, searching for talent, hoping to connect with local resources, or simply interested in growing your professional network — there’s a seat at the table for you.

Friday, September 11, 2026
9:30–10:30 AM
Culinary Concepts AB
2041 Barracks Rd., Charlotesville

Complimentary coffee — everyone is welcome!

Registration closes September 9, so don’t wait!

Come meet someone new, exchange ideas, build relationships, and help us create a stronger, more connected community — one conversation at a time.

Register today at https://form.jotform.com/CvilleEcoDev/coffee

Please share with your colleagues, clients, friends, and networks. Great connections start with a conversation!

08/28/2026

Thank you for your patience while the repair work was being completed!

Full parking capacity is restored at Market Street Parking Garage!

Scheduled repair work has been completed, and parking spaces that were temporarily unavailable during construction are now back in service.

Thank you to our residents, businesses, employees, and visitors for your patience and flexibility throughout the project. We appreciate everyone who used alternative parking options while this necessary work was underway.

08/28/2026

Looking for a job—or ready to feel more confident and prepared in your job search? Skills Builder can help you take that next step.

This FREE, four-week Job Readiness Training course is designed to help you build the skills employers are looking for while preparing you to stand out as a candidate.

During Skills Builder, you’ll:
• Earn a Soft Skills Certification
• Strengthen essential workplace skills like communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Get help with your resume and interviewing skills
• Build the confidence to talk about your strengths and what you bring to an employer
• Receive a GUARANTEED INTERVIEW upon successful completion of the course

And participants say it makes a difference. One graduate said the course gave them “all the tools necessary employers are looking for,” while another described Skills Builder as a “positive life changing event.”

Another participant shared that the program helped them “speak, and think, and be more disciplined” and helped get them back into a workplace mindset—exactly the kind of preparation that can make a difference when returning to work or pursuing a new opportunity.

LAST DAY TO REGISTER: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2!

If you’re running into hurdles in your job search, don’t keep trying to navigate them alone. Build your skills. Build your confidence. Prepare for the interview—and get connected directly to an employer.

Register today and invest four Fridays in building a stronger path to your next opportunity!

Register: https://form.jotform.com/CvilleEcoDev/SkillsBuilder

08/25/2026

Today is National Banana Split Day, which means it's the perfect time to visit one of the City of Charlottesville, Va's ice ream shops and treat yourself!

Whether you love a traditional banana split, you're more of a sundae person, milkshakes are your thing, or if you are a scoop in a cone purist, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

Chaps and Kilwin's are staples on the Downtown Mall. SugarBear offers fun and unique flavors from their High Street location and through various local retailers. Dairy Market's Moo Thru specializes in ice cream from Virginia farms. Ben & Jerry's at Barracks Road Shopping Center is there for you when only a Cherry Garcia banana split will do.

Hit up your favorite or check out somewhere new!

08/24/2026

YOUR FUTURE WORKFORCE COULD BE HERE.

Become an Exhibitor at NextGen Skilled Trades Day!

Finding skilled workers is challenging. NextGen Skilled Trades Day gives you an opportunity to start building your talent pipeline before candidates ever submit an application.

As an exhibitor, you can:
• Showcase what your industry really does
• Connect directly with future talent
• Introduce young people to careers they may not know exist
• Increase awareness of your company and career opportunities
• Help build the skilled workforce your industry will need tomorrow

Last year, 300+ attendees came to explore skilled trades through hands-on experiences and conversations with local employers and industry professionals.
This isn't a traditional career fair.

Bring a hands-on activity. Show them what you do. Let them experience the possibilities.

Saturday, October 17, 2026
10 AM – 1 PM
Piedmont Virginia Community College

Invest a few hours. Inspire future talent. Build your workforce pipeline.

Register to exhibit: www.nextgenskilledtradesday.org

08/20/2026

LAST CALL: APPLY NOW

Ready to take the next step toward starting your business?

Applications are open for the Fall 2026 GO Start-Up Cohort! This FREE four-week training is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to learn the fundamentals of starting a business, understand the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, and connect with resources that can help them move forward.

Classes begin September 2 and are held every Wednesday from 5–7 PM at CitySpace in Downtown Charlottesville.

4 weeks. 2 hours a week. No cost to participate.

Apply now and start building the foundation for your business!https://form.jotform.com/241436263207047

08/18/2026

Read all the latest information from your friendly OED staff: https://www.charlottesville.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16573/OED-Newsletter---August-13-2026?bidId=