Orange County VA Economic Development

09/02/2026

🚨 CENTRAL VIRGINIA EMPLOYERS: THIS EVENT WAS CREATED FOR YOU!

If recruiting, developing, or retaining employees is important to your business or organization, register now for the FREE Regional Business Forum at Piedmont Virginia Community College.

📅 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 8:00–11:00 a.m.
🍽️ Lunch and Employer Resource Expo following
📍 PVCC Bolick Center | Charlottesville

Connect directly with education leaders, workforce professionals, service providers, and employers from across Central Virginia who can help you identify practical workforce solutions.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

✅ Education and employer-resource panels featuring Dr. Jean Runyon, Bo Bundrick, Amanda Panarese, Anthony Reedy, and Dr. Tiffany Edwards
✅ Audience Q&A
✅ Employer Resource Expo
✅ Regional networking
✅ Information about internships, apprenticeships, training, funding, recruitment, and retention
✅ Lunch provided by PVCC

Thank you to the organizations making this FREE regional opportunity possible:

⭐ Gold Sponsor
Piedmont Virginia Community College

⭐ Silver Sponsors
Carter Myers Automotive
CHO Charlottesville Albemarle Airport Authority
Dominion Energy
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

🤝 Regional Partners Supporting Business
Fluvanna County Economic Development / Fluvanna Business Alliance
Louisa County, Virginia Economic Development
Orange County VA Economic Development

This forum is open to ALL businesses and organizations throughout Central Virginia. Every industry and organization size is welcome. Chamber membership is not required.

🚨 Registration remains open through September 9, but please register by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 to help us plan seating, materials, and lunch.

REGISTER FOR THE BUSINESS FORUM:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/2x4wjcwm

Make the most of your day at PVCC! Stay for the FREE Small Business B(AI)sics training from 1:00–3:00 p.m. Separate registration is required:

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/4vske7xd

Register today and share this opportunity with another Central Virginia employer!

08/31/2026

Please be aware that Orange County Government facilities will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Closed offices will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. For more information and a listing of other upcoming holidays, view the Orange County holiday schedule at https://ow.ly/QHnj50ZHkVi.

As always, our dedicated first responders will remain on duty.

08/31/2026

Looking for a way to bring your locally made holiday magic to Orange, Virginia?🎄✨

Calling all local makers, creatives, and small businesses! The Market at Grelen is inviting YOU to be part of their Holiday Marketplace! They are expanding the Marketplace across four holiday weekends and vendors may participate for one weekend, several weekends, or the entire season! 🎁

To learn more and apply, click the link below👇 https://www.themarketatgrelen.com/applicationforholidaymarketplace

08/26/2026

📣 LAST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS! 📣

Are you a small business creating handmade goods, homegrown products, original artwork, or one-of-a-kind gifts? This is your chance to showcase your work at the 6th Annual Locally Made Market at the 2026 Montpelier Hunt Races! 🏇✨

🎉 Best of all — vendor participation is FREE! 🎉

This is a fantastic opportunity to:
🛍️ Showcase your products to shoppers from across the region
🤝 Connect with new customers and fellow local businesses
🧡 Be part of one of Orange County’s favorite annual traditions
✨ Get your products in front of a vibrant crowd — at no cost to you!

⏰ Applications are closing this FRIDAY! Don’t miss out on this FREE opportunity to showcase your business, gain exposure, and be part of this exciting event.

👉 Apply today: https://www.thinkorangeva.com/support

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! We’d love to have you join us!

08/24/2026

🚨Last Call for Food & Beverage Founders! 🚨
Are you a food or beverage entrepreneur who’s ready to grow, scale, and take your business further? This is your last chance to apply for Venture Central’s first-ever Food & Beverage Accelerator! 🚀🍴

Designed for established food and beverage businesses, the program offers the expertise, mentorship, and connections needed to tackle challenges, unlock new opportunities, and take the next big step. 🧡🤝

Only a few spots remain for Cohort 1, and applications close TODAY, August 24!

If you’ve been thinking about applying, this is your sign. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with fellow founders, learn from experienced mentors, and invest in the future of your business.

👉 Learn more and apply:
https://www.venturecentralva.com/scale-something-delicious/

08/21/2026

📖 Read the issue at https://ow.ly/JI0L50ZCrbJ

The August 2026 Orange County Insight is now available! In this issue, you'll find:
➡️ Groundbreaking news about the Hornet Innovation Center
➡️ How Fire & EMS continues to 'Make the Shift' with graduating and upcoming recruit classes
➡️ Details about dedicated lactation support spaces for employees and the public
➡️ A recap of the recent school supply drive
➡️ Zoning district updates in regards to manufactured homes
➡️ Event details for the upcoming Overdose Awareness Vigil on Aug. 31
➡️ The first new Library program offered in partnership with the Smithsonian Associates Rural Library Cohort
➡️ Information about an exciting new TV service coming from FiberLync
..and much more! Enjoy!

08/19/2026

We are so excited for Furniture By Design on receiving their AFID Grant!🧡They plan to further expand and grow their business in Orange County! To read more, please use the link below. 👇
https://ow.ly/GJca50ZB6CM

Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the award of 14 Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grants to support projects that will establish and expand opportunities for local producers and strengthen local food systems. Grants totaling more than $507,000 were awarded to 14 different localities to fund a range of projects including animal and wood products processing facilities, a shared-use cannery and commercial kitchens, farmers market, creamery expansion, produce packing facility, and the creation of a new regional livestock marketing complex.

Read more at https://ow.ly/GJca50ZB6CM

08/18/2026

Know a food or beverage founder who’s ready to grow, scale, and take their business to the next level? 🍴🚀

Venture Central is kicking off its first-ever Food & Beverage Accelerator, created for established food and beverage businesses looking for the expertise, mentorship, and connections to move their business forward. 🧡🤝

A few spots remain for Cohort 1! If you or a founder in your network have been waiting for the right opportunity to take the next step, now is the time to take advantage of it.

Applications are open through August 24!

Learn more and apply here: 👇
https://www.venturecentralva.com/scale-something-delicious/

Tag a food or beverage entrepreneur who should see this, share it with your network, or send it straight to a founder building something delicious! ✨

08/14/2026

Help us in raising a glass to Iron Pipe Alewerks for bringing home the GOLD at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup for their Bearded Charmer!!! 🥇

Huge congratulations to the entire team for the passion, creativity, and craftsmanship that went into making this award-winning beer!

Cheers to Iron Pipe Alewerks and the Bearded Charmer! 💚🍻

07/31/2026

Would you like a FREE 2026 Corks & Caps commemorative t-shirt? 🧡

If so, now's the time! Grab your Corks & Caps Passport, gather your favorite people, and spend a day—or make it a weekend—exploring Orange County's incredible wineries, breweries, and distillery. 🍇🍺🥃

Here's how it works:
✨ Plan your trip at www.corksandcapsva.com
✨ Pick up your passport
✨ Visit participating locations and make a purchase
✨ Collect stickers along the way
✨ Mail in your completed passport to receive your FREE 2026 commemorative t-shirt!

Shirts are available while supplies last, so don't wait—start your Orange County Corks & Caps adventure today!🧡