Grant Opportunity through Internships VA

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) has launched InternshipsVA, a statewide initiative designed to expand high-quality, paid internship opportunities. This program helps employers, especially small and mid-sized businesses, create effective work-based learning experiences and offers matching grants to make paid internships more affordable.

Internships are one of the most powerful tools for developing and retaining talent. Participating businesses can:

• Build a strong future workforce pipeline
• Provide students with hands-on experience
• Position your business as an employer of choice

Learn more and get involved: Internships VA

Nominations Deadline March 8 for the 27th Annual CBIC Awards Gala

We encourage all individuals and organizations contributing to Central Virginia’s innovation economy to submit nominations as soon as possible.

The CBIC Awards recognize outstanding achievement across our region’s business, technology, and entrepreneurial sectors. Categories include:

• Business of the Year
• Startup of the Year
• Innovator of the Year
• Top Employer of the Year
• Social Good Award
• Student Entrepreneur of the Year
• Additional categories highlighting excellence across the innovation ecosystem

Self‑nominations are welcome! If your organization has reached a milestone, demonstrated growth, or built a strong culture, we encourage you to share your accomplishments.

The nomination process takes only a few minutes, and early submission is strongly recommended due to the condensed timeline.

Submit your nomination here by March 8! We look forward to celebrating the individuals and organizations shaping the future of our region.

Entrepreneur Opportunities

Piedmont Pitch - Apply by March 6 to Compete for $15k in Prize Money

The City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development and Albemarle County Economic Development have joined forces to offer educational programming leading to a pitch competition for local small businesses. Entrepreneurs and small business owners in Charlottesville and Albemarle can apply to pitch for up to $15,000 in prize money!

To be eligible to receive prize money, participants must have an active business license in the City of Charlottesville or Albemarle County by July 1, 2026. Learn more and apply at https://cvsbdc.org/piedmont-pitch/ by March 6.

Startup Series by 434 – Free Sessions this Spring

Thinking about launching a company based on your big idea, invention, or discovery? Already started but want to be better prepared? The Startup Series by 434 is a free, interactive program designed to help you master the nuts and bolts of building a scalable company.

Sessions cover incorporation, intellectual property, risk staging, fundraising, and more—grounded in real-world scenarios. Registration online is required to reserve your spot.

Dates: Thursdays – March 5, 12, 19, 26, and April 2, 16 (no session April 9)

Time: 12–1:15 PM

Location: 434 Headquarters at 225 E. Main Street, Downtown Mall

Learn more about 434 and RSVP for upcoming sessions on their website.

Economic Development News

Penny’s Imperfect Pizza Awarded AFID Infrastructure Grant to Support Expansion in Albemarle County

Penny’s Imperfect Pizza has received a $12,465 AFID Infrastructure Grant, facilitated by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), with Albemarle County providing a full match for a total investment of $24,930. Operating out of the BEACON Kitchen, the farm‑based pizza company will use this funding to purchase essential equipment and expand its cold‑storage capacity, strengthening its ability to scale production while continuing to rely on locally grown and locally sourced ingredients.

With this expansion, Penny’s Imperfect Pizza plans to triple its production volume, increase purchases from area farms, and extend its distribution to underserved communities. The project is also expected to create new local jobs and deepen the company’s role in the region’s agricultural economy.

Albemarle County Partners with Southern Development Group on Industrial Project

Albemarle County is partnering with Southern Development Group to expand critical industrial infrastructure through a new project on Northside Drive at Route 29. The development will bring much‑needed industrial space to the region, creating opportunities for businesses in manufacturing, logistics, and research.

Located on a strategically positioned 9.2‑acre parcel, the project’s first phase will deliver a flexible, 72,000 sf industrial building. With 50‑foot increment bays, customer‑facing entryways, and rear loading docks, the facility is designed to accommodate a wide range of users, from showroom and storage operations to small‑scale production and R&D for growing startups.

Industrial space has long been scarce in the County, and this project represents a long‑awaited opportunity to activate a site that has carried industrial zoning for decades.

To support the development, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority approved a performance‑based synthetic tax increment financing (SYNTIF) agreement that will rebate 75 percent of new property tax revenue for up to 10 years, capped at $350,000. Payments begin only once the project is built and generating revenue, and the agreement requires Southern Development Group to complete the purchase and development by June 30, 2027, secure all permits, provide quarterly progress updates, and remain in good standing with the county and the Commonwealth.

The Albemarle County Economic Development Authority also awarded a Building Reuse Grant of up to $250,000 to support extension of a sewer line needed to serve the site.

This project aligns with Albemarle County’s long‑term economic development strategy, which emphasizes maintaining a strong pipeline of sites and buildings for key industry clusters. With its proximity to Route 29, Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, and Interstate 64, the Northside Drive development offers a strategically located, highly adaptable space for businesses looking to grow in Central Virginia.

Siller Pollinator Company Earns VDACS Food Manufacturing Certification, Advances Support for Virginia Beekeepers

Siller Pollinator Company has reached an important milestone with the award of its Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Food Manufacturing Certificate, marking a major step forward in its mission to strengthen the state’s beekeeping community. Supported by an AFID Infrastructure Grant and partnerships with Albemarle and Fluvanna counties, the company built a Mobile Honey Processing Facility designed to bring professional‑grade honey extraction directly to farmers and beekeepers.

This mobile facility allows beekeepers to learn how to process their own honey safely and efficiently, expanding economic opportunities while reducing barriers for small producers. By combining certification, training, and mobile infrastructure, Siller Pollinator Company is helping ensure that Virginia’s beekeepers have the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.

Economic Development Authority Directors Meet at North Fork, Tour Commonwealth BioAccelerator

The Albemarle County Economic Development Authority (EDA) directors held their February meeting at North Fork on February 17, taking the opportunity to see the region’s growing innovation infrastructure firsthand. The visit highlighted the county’s ongoing investment in research‑driven economic development and its partnership with the CvilleBioHub and the University of Virginia.

During their session, the directors discussed current economic initiatives, upcoming projects, and the county’s strategy for supporting high‑growth industries.

Following the meeting, the directors toured the BioAccelerator, a specialized facility designed to support early‑stage biotech and life‑science companies. The visit gave directors a close look at how the BioAccelerator is positioning Albemarle County as a competitive destination for bioscience innovation.