2013 Cville OED Annual Report

2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Photo Courtesy of the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau

STAFF

Chris Engel, CEcD Director

Hollie Lee

Chief of Workforce Development Strategies

Jason Ness

Economic Development Specialist

Blair Morris

Administrative Assistant

610 East Market Street 2nd Floor, Room B230

Charlottesville, VA 22902

www.charlottesville.org/econdev 434.970.3110


Dear Stakeholders, It was another active year for the Office of Economic Development (OED) as we continued our efforts to be a catalyst for businesses growth and capital invest-ment, as well as an advocate for effective workforce development strategies. We are pleased to provide this update on our activities from 2013. Based on several key economic indicators the City continued to impress – posting a new record for commercial investment. Unemployment and vacancy rates remained stable, while sales, meals, and lodging tax revenue were also strong. While far from perfect, Charlottesville seems to be the “Little City that Could…” and can. A significant achievement this year involved the completion of the Growing Opportunities report, which provided recommendations for fostering training and employment opportunities to help City residents achieve self-sufficiency. Now entering the implementation phase, the report has resulted in the formation of a Workforce Advisory Council, the first in a series of Economic Opportunity Summits, and the creation of the Chief of Workforce Development Strategies position within the OED, among other initiatives. In an effort to spice up our menu of event offerings, we added a Catering Expo, which featured 20 local catering businesses and provided them with exposure and opportunity. Additionally, we partnered with Computers4Kids to host a Youth Entrepreneurship class, which enabled students to explore the basics of business formation. Finally, the OED launched the ACE Program for existing City-based busi-nesses. The program is designed to assist small business owners increase revenue and business capacity through collaboration with staff and a business consultant. I encourage you to read further to learn more about these and other efforts, and in doing so, please help us by sharing this report with your networks so that our out-reach will grow. Thank you for your continued support of Charlottesville’s business community. Sincerely,

Chris Engel Chris Engel Director, Office of Economic Development

The Charlottesville Economic Development Authori ty (CEDA) continued to support its mission by creating two new programs in 2013 de-signed to help grow enter-prises and to create job opportunities in the City. The Authority created a local match to complement the popular Virginia Jobs Im-provement Program (VJIP), which is run by the Virginia Department of Business Assis-tance.

CEDA also extended funding to further support the ACE Program, allowing the OED to serve more businesses through this unique program.

3 CAPITAL INVESTMENT Building partnerships with private sector groups in order to maximize capital investment in the City

WEST MAIN DEVELOPMENTS

CFA INSTITUTE OPENS

CITYWALK

West Main Street emerged in 2013 as a focal point for new development activity with the start of con-struction on a 133 room Marriott Residence Inn and a 220 unit student focused apartment complex. With the completion of the UVA Children’s Hospital Battle Building and the addition of several new restaurant and retail offerings, this critical corridor is once again attracting investment.

On the east side of downtown, the CityWalk project continues construction of 300 market rate apart-ments. In conjunction with this, the City is extending Water Street to assist with vehicular and pedestrian access to downtown.

Twenty-seven months after ceasing operation as a hospital, the former Martha Jefferson facility has sprung back to life as the global operations center for CFA Institute’s 400+ employees. The extensive renovation, which officially opened in December 2013, expects to receive LEED certification in the near future.

Dear Stakeholders, It was another active year for the Office of Economic Development (OED) as we continued our efforts to be a catalyst for businesses growth and capital invest-ment, as well as an advocate for effective workforce development strategies. We are pleased to provide this update on our activities from 2013. Based on several key economic indicators the City continued to impress – posting a new record for commercial investment. Unemployment and vacancy rates remained stable, while sales, meals, and lodging tax revenue were also strong. While far from perfect, Charlottesville seems to be the “Little City that Could…” and can. A significant achievement this year involved the completion of the Growing Opportunities report, which provided recommendations for fostering training and employment opportunities to help City residents achieve self-sufficiency. Now entering the implementation phase, the report has resulted in the formation of a Workforce Advisory Council, the first in a series of Economic Opportunity Summits, and the creation of the Chief of Workforce Development Strategies position within the OED, among other initiatives. In an effort to spice up our menu of event offerings, we added a Catering Expo, which featured 20 local catering businesses and provided them with exposure and opportunity. Additionally, we partnered with Computers4Kids to host a Youth Entrepreneurship class, which enabled students to explore the basics of business formation. Finally, the OED launched the ACE Program for existing City-based busi-nesses. The program is designed to assist small business owners increase revenue and business capacity through collaboration with staff and a business consultant. I encourage you to read further to learn more about these and other efforts, and in doing so, please help us by sharing this report with your networks so that our out-reach will grow. Thank you for your continued support of Charlottesville’s business community. Sincerely,

Chris Engel Chris Engel Director, Office of Economic Development

The Charlottesville Economic Development Authori ty (CEDA) continued to support its mission by creating two new programs in 2013 de-signed to help grow enter-prises and to create job opportunities in the City. The Authority created a local match to complement the popular Virginia Jobs Im-provement Program (VJIP), which is run by the Virginia Department of Business Assis-tance.

CEDA also extended funding to further support the ACE Program, allowing the OED to serve more businesses through this unique program.

3 CAPITAL INVESTMENT Building partnerships with private sector groups in order to maximize capital investment in the City

WEST MAIN DEVELOPMENTS

CFA INSTITUTE OPENS

CITYWALK

West Main Street emerged in 2013 as a focal point for new development activity with the start of con-struction on a 133 room Marriott Residence Inn and a 220 unit student focused apartment complex. With the completion of the UVA Children’s Hospital Battle Building and the addition of several new restaurant and retail offerings, this critical corridor is once again attracting investment.

On the east side of downtown, the CityWalk project continues construction of 300 market rate apart-ments. In conjunction with this, the City is extending Water Street to assist with vehicular and pedestrian access to downtown.

Twenty-seven months after ceasing operation as a hospital, the former Martha Jefferson facility has sprung back to life as the global operations center for CFA Institute’s 400+ employees. The extensive renovation, which officially opened in December 2013, expects to receive LEED certification in the near future.

4 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Creating an entrepreneurial environment where start-ups can thrive & existing businesses have opportunity

BUSINESS VISTATION PROGRAM

ADVANCING CHARLOTTESVILLE ENTREPRENEURS (ACE) PROGRAM

The OED enhanced its “Business First” business visitation program in 2013 with a dedication of staff time and training. An active visitation program is critical to understanding the issues being faced by local business and to continuing to promote the City as an ideal business location. The Business First Program model is designed to specifically interact with growth—oriented busi-nesses that are adding value to our community.

An additional benefit of the visitation program is the promotion of the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) and the addition of a local match for qualifying businesses. The program provides funding to companies creating new jobs or expe-riencing technological change by reducing human resource development costs of new hires.

In 2013, the OED created a new program to assist existing City-based businesses. The ACE Program is designed to help small business owners increase revenue and business capacity through collabo-ration with staff and a business consultant. Fol-lowing a detailed business analysis and assess-ment, a customized strategic plan is developed and implemented. In addition, business owners have access to specialized business services such as webpage development, branding, and ac-counting to help move their business forward.

The program is completely free for qualifying City businesses. To date, the program has reached 70% of its enrollment capacity. Photo Courtesy of the

Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce

SELLING TO THE CITY: CATERING EXPO In the spring of 2013, the OED, in partnership with the City’s Division of Procurement & Risk Management and Neighborhood Development Services, hosted its first ever

Catering Expo in an effort to help local small, women-, and minority-owned busi-nesses market their food to buyers throughout the City.

20 LOCAL BUSINESSES

PARTICIPATED IN THE

CITY’S FIRST CATERING

EXPO HELD ON

MARCH 28TH

4 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Creating an entrepreneurial environment where start-ups can thrive & existing businesses have opportunity

BUSINESS VISTATION PROGRAM

ADVANCING CHARLOTTESVILLE ENTREPRENEURS (ACE) PROGRAM

The OED enhanced its “Business First” business visitation program in 2013 with a dedication of staff time and training. An active visitation program is critical to understanding the issues being faced by local business and to continuing to promote the City as an ideal business location. The Business First Program model is designed to specifically interact with growth—oriented busi-nesses that are adding value to our community.

An additional benefit of the visitation program is the promotion of the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) and the addition of a local match for qualifying businesses. The program provides funding to companies creating new jobs or expe-riencing technological change by reducing human resource development costs of new hires.

In 2013, the OED created a new program to assist existing City-based businesses. The ACE Program is designed to help small business owners increase revenue and business capacity through collabo-ration with staff and a business consultant. Fol-lowing a detailed business analysis and assess-ment, a customized strategic plan is developed and implemented. In addition, business owners have access to specialized business services such as webpage development, branding, and ac-counting to help move their business forward.

The program is completely free for qualifying City businesses. To date, the program has reached 70% of its enrollment capacity. Photo Courtesy of the

Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce

SELLING TO THE CITY: CATERING EXPO In the spring of 2013, the OED, in partnership with the City’s Division of Procurement & Risk Management and Neighborhood Development Services, hosted its first ever

Catering Expo in an effort to help local small, women-, and minority-owned busi-nesses market their food to buyers throughout the City.

20 LOCAL BUSINESSES

PARTICIPATED IN THE

CITY’S FIRST CATERING

EXPO HELD ON

MARCH 28TH

STRATEGIC ACTION TEAM (SAT)

Fostering an environment that provides career ladder employment opportunities for Charlottesville citizens

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

6 In July 2013, the City’s Strategic Action Team (SAT) finalized a com-prehensive report on workforce development entitled Growing Op-portunity: A Path to Self-Sufficiency in Char-lottesville. This report provides an overview of the local workforce climate and examines barriers to employment for low-income City resi-dents such as basic literacy, workplace skills, trans-portation, and childcare. The report also presents numerous strategies for addressing these barriers.

The SAT was formed at City Council's request in 2012 to examine workforce development opportunities for Charlottesville residents. The SAT, led by the OED, continues to meet on a regular basis, with the focus being primarily on implementation of recommenda-tions endorsed by City Council.

PLUGGEDINVA Recommended for support by the SAT in the Grow-ing Opportunity report to address the barrier of basic literacy and training, PluggedInVA is a new education and workforce training program for adults ready to begin a career in retail customer service. This program, which is partially funded by the City and administered by Thomas Jefferson Adult Career Education, combines workforce train-ing, community college coursework, and industry credentialing in a six-month program for motivated adults. Numerous City residents are participating in the program, which began in January 2014.




6

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT On December 10th, the City of Charlottesville hosted a community summit on

skilled trades and advanced manufacturing in the region at the Jefferson School City Center. The goal of the summit was to bring policy makers together with economic and workforce development professionals to discuss skilled trades employment and explore ways of attracting this type of industry to the area.

The impetus of this event came from former City Councilor Dave Norris and the work of the Strategic Action Team. This event was the first in a series of economic

opportunity summits the OED plans to hold annually.

75 EMPLOYERS & 1,000 JOB SEEKERS ATTENDED THE 2013 CHARLOTTESVILLE COMMUNITY JOB FAIR HELD ON MAY 1ST





6 In July 2013, the City’s Strategic Action Team (SAT) finalized a com-prehensive report on workforce development entitled Growing Op-portunity: A Path to Self-Sufficiency in Char-lottesville. This report provides an overview of the local workforce climate and examines barriers to employment for low-income City resi-dents such as basic literacy, workplace skills, trans-portation, and childcare. The report also presents numerous strategies for addressing these barriers.

The SAT was formed at City Council's request in 2012 to examine workforce development opportunities for Charlottesville residents. The SAT, led by the OED, continues to meet on a regular basis, with the focus being primarily on implementation of recommenda-tions endorsed by City Council.

PLUGGEDINVA Recommended for support by the SAT in the Grow-ing Opportunity report to address the barrier of basic literacy and training, PluggedInVA is a new education and workforce training program for adults ready to begin a career in retail customer service. This program, which is partially funded by the City and administered by Thomas Jefferson Adult Career Education, combines workforce train-ing, community college coursework, and industry credentialing in a six-month program for motivated adults. Numerous City residents are participating in the program, which began in January 2014.




6

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT On December 10th, the City of Charlottesville hosted a community summit on

skilled trades and advanced manufacturing in the region at the Jefferson School City Center. The goal of the summit was to bring policy makers together with economic and workforce development professionals to discuss skilled trades employment and explore ways of attracting this type of industry to the area.

The impetus of this event came from former City Councilor Dave Norris and the work of the Strategic Action Team. This event was the first in a series of economic

opportunity summits the OED plans to hold annually.

75 EMPLOYERS & 1,000 JOB SEEKERS ATTENDED THE 2013 CHARLOTTESVILLE COMMUNITY JOB FAIR HELD ON MAY 1ST


INQUIRIES

NEWSLETTER

The OED continues to implement its customer service standards, focusing on professionalism, timeliness, and accessi-bility. In 2013, OED staff responded to over 2,000 inquiries from stakeholders.

In 2013, the OED sent 10 electronic newsletters to more than 500 subscrib-ers. The average open rate for the newsletter was 33%, which is higher than the Constant Contact average for local government newsletters (22.6%).

Collaborating with commu-nity partners in order to increase opportunities for City residents & businesses

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

8 EVENTS The OED collaborated with numerous partners to offer more than a dozen events in 2013. Over 500 people at-tended these events, which ranged from lunch and learns, to workshops, to all-day conferences.

Photo Courtesy of Forward/Adelante

2013 BUSINESS EVENTS

BETTER BUSINESS CHALLENGE: LIGHT UP THE SAVINGS

chamber minority business conference chamber takeaway tuesday: selling to the city

virginia downtown development association annual workshop

SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING ALTERNATIVES catering expo: selling to the city selling to the city workshop

CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO VIRGINIA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Virginia Bio 20th Anniversary Celebration

Virginia Economic Development Association Spring Conference

INQUIRIES

NEWSLETTER

The OED continues to implement its customer service standards, focusing on professionalism, timeliness, and accessi-bility. In 2013, OED staff responded to over 2,000 inquiries from stakeholders.

In 2013, the OED sent 10 electronic newsletters to more than 500 subscrib-ers. The average open rate for the newsletter was 33%, which is higher than the Constant Contact average for local government newsletters (22.6%).

Collaborating with commu-nity partners in order to increase opportunities for City residents & businesses

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

8 EVENTS The OED collaborated with numerous partners to offer more than a dozen events in 2013. Over 500 people at-tended these events, which ranged from lunch and learns, to workshops, to all-day conferences.

Photo Courtesy of Forward/Adelante

2013 BUSINESS EVENTS

BETTER BUSINESS CHALLENGE: LIGHT UP THE SAVINGS

chamber minority business conference chamber takeaway tuesday: selling to the city

virginia downtown development association annual workshop

SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING ALTERNATIVES catering expo: selling to the city selling to the city workshop

CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO VIRGINIA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Virginia Bio 20th Anniversary Celebration

Virginia Economic Development Association Spring Conference

10 SPECIAL PROJECTS

COMPUTERS4KIDS

MARKET DISTRICT

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT AREA UPDATE

The OED partnered with Computers4Kids to host a youth entrepreneurship class this past summer. This class served as a platform for stu-dents to understand the basics of entrepre-neurship. At the end of the class, students pitched their ideas to a panel of community judges, and many students were awarded start-up funding to launch their business.

OED staff guided this consultant engagement to a close with a presentation to Council on the feasibility of a market district in July. Solu-tions continue to be explored that allow the market to thrive and grow, while also embrac-ing the opportunity for high density mixed—use development at a key downtown location.

The OED provided representation on the steer-ing committee and spent significant time and energy interacting with the consultant to bring this important City initiative to completion.

Working with internal and external partners on spe-cial projects that further the City’s economic goals

51% decrease in the commercial retail vacancy rate over the last 5 years

Commercial Retail Vacancy Rate in Charlottesville— 2009-2013

2009-2013 Average Weekly Wage — 1st & 2nd Quarter Average

Unemployment Rate— 2009-2013

United States

City of Charlottesville

Virginia

581 commercia l const ruct ion permi ts

i ssued in 2013 wi th an inves tment va lue of $66 ,656,477

C-v i l le MSA ranked #5 STRONGEST ECONOMY wi th a populat ion under

250,000 people

the Char lo t tesv i l le unemployment ra te i s 24% LOWER

than the nat ional average


10 SPECIAL PROJECTS

COMPUTERS4KIDS

MARKET DISTRICT

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT AREA UPDATE

The OED partnered with Computers4Kids to host a youth entrepreneurship class this past summer. This class served as a platform for stu-dents to understand the basics of entrepre-neurship. At the end of the class, students pitched their ideas to a panel of community judges, and many students were awarded start-up funding to launch their business.

OED staff guided this consultant engagement to a close with a presentation to Council on the feasibility of a market district in July. Solu-tions continue to be explored that allow the market to thrive and grow, while also embrac-ing the opportunity for high density mixed—use development at a key downtown location.

The OED provided representation on the steer-ing committee and spent significant time and energy interacting with the consultant to bring this important City initiative to completion.

Working with internal and external partners on spe-cial projects that further the City’s economic goals

51% decrease in the commercial retail vacancy rate over the last 5 years

Commercial Retail Vacancy Rate in Charlottesville— 2009-2013

2009-2013 Average Weekly Wage — 1st & 2nd Quarter Average

Unemployment Rate— 2009-2013

United States

City of Charlottesville

Virginia

581 commercia l const ruct ion permi ts

i ssued in 2013 wi th an inves tment va lue of $66 ,656,477

C-v i l le MSA ranked #5 STRONGEST ECONOMY wi th a populat ion under

250,000 people

the Char lo t tesv i l le unemployment ra te i s 24% LOWER

than the nat ional average


2013 ANNUAL REPORT


STAFF

Chris Engel, CEcD Director

Hollie Lee

Chief of Workforce Development Strategies

Jason Ness

Economic Development Specialist

Blair Morris

Administrative Assistant

610 East Market Street 2nd Floor, Room B230

Charlottesville, VA 22902

www.charlottesville.org/econdev 434.970.3110


Documents

2013 Cville OED Annual Report