City of Chesapeake Virginia Economic Development

City of Chesapeake Virginia Economic Development Find Your Way Forward
757.382.8040 If you’re looking to start, expand or locate a business, get to know Chesapeake, VA. Our community is ready to get started.

In two years, the Chesapeake, VA, business community invested more than $275 million, created 1,269 new jobs and saved nearly 3,000. As one of the country’s 100 largest cities, this city has all the features businesses are looking for: talent, infrastructure, location – plus one more – an eagerness to do what’s right. Are you?

🚀 Attention Chesapeake Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners!Whether you’re just starting out, refining your strategy, o...
08/18/2026

🚀 Attention Chesapeake Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners!

Whether you’re just starting out, refining your strategy, or looking to scale your business, the right connections and tools make all the difference.

Join us along with the ODU Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) for an interactive, in-person day dedicated to helping your business thrive!

📍 Location: Chesapeake Central Library
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

What to Expect:
💡 Expert Guidance: Connect directly with local business advisors and resource partners.
🤝 Networking: Meet and collaborate with fellow Hampton Roads entrepreneurs.
📈 Growth Resources: Discover funding opportunities, technical assistance programs, and development tools tailored to your goals.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-resource-fair-tickets-1995698909160

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, build meaningful relationships, and take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey.

👉 Tag a fellow business owner who should attend!

Inspire the next generation of talent while securing your future workforce! 🛠️💡Join the Worlds of Work Career Expo on Oc...
08/18/2026

Inspire the next generation of talent while securing your future workforce! 🛠️💡

Join the Worlds of Work Career Expo on October 20–21! This hands-on, interactive event connects students and educators with high-demand, high-wage career pathways across our region. A great opportunity to inspire future talent and showcase the industries shaping our community.

With local industries facing growing skills shortages and upcoming retirement waves, building your future talent pipeline starts now. As an exhibitor, you won't just hand out brochures—you’ll deliver interactive, engaging experiences that showcase what makes your industry thrive.

Event Details:
📅 Date: October 20 & 21
📍 Focus: Hands-on career exploration for local students & educators
🎯 Goal: Bridge the regional skills gap and inspire tomorrow's workforce

Unlock early access to the next generation of talent—don’t miss out!

👉 Register as a vendor today: https://lnkd.in/e35TYsmy

🎉 Today’s the day! 🎉Join Women In Defense (WID) for an energizing Lunch + Learning + Networking session!Whether you want...
08/18/2026

🎉 Today’s the day! 🎉

Join Women In Defense (WID) for an energizing Lunch + Learning + Networking session!
Whether you want to sharpen your GovCon marketing strategy or get insider insight on what bankers look for when supporting defense and government contractors, today’s event has you covered.

📅 Happening Today
🕒 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 555 Belaire Ave, Suite 200
Chesapeake, VA 23320
APEX Conference Room (2nd Floor, across from the elevator)

✨ On the agenda:
• Strategic Marketing in GovCon with Susan Long-Molnar (Managing Communications)
• What banks evaluate when backing GovCon businesses with Selden Richards (Bank of America)

🎁 Lunch is included with your registration!

🎟 Grab your seat while you can: https://lnkd.in/enuVM9XX

📢 Calling all Chesapeake entrepreneurs and small business owners! 📢Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take you...
08/11/2026

📢 Calling all Chesapeake entrepreneurs and small business owners! 📢

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your company to the next level, you don’t have to figure it out alone! 🤝✨

Stop by the Chesapeake Central Library for Small Business One-on-Ones with our Small Business Development Manager, Tanisha "Sunny" Golston.

Here’s how Sunny can help your business:
📋 Licensing & Regulations: Clear up municipal requirements and processes.
🤝 Networking: Connect with regional networks and valuable local resources.
📈 Scaling & Strategy: Find new paths to expand your reach.
💡 Local Incentives: Discover city programs designed to help you succeed!

No formal appointment needed—just drop in with your questions!

📍 Where: Chesapeake Central Library (Small Business Hub)
🗓️ When: Monday, August 24th | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Whether you need a quick answer or want to chat about long-term strategy, we’re here to help. Let’s build something great in Chesapeake together! 💪

👇 Tag a local business owner or friend who should drop by! 👇

🍱 Lunch + Learning + Networking!Are you looking to sharpen your GovCon marketing strategy or understand what bankers rea...
08/11/2026

🍱 Lunch + Learning + Networking!

Are you looking to sharpen your GovCon marketing strategy or understand what bankers really evaluate when backing defense & government contractors?

Join Women In Defense (WID) for their upcoming Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, August 18, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM!

📍 Where:
555 Belaire Ave, Suite 200
Chesapeake, VA 23320
APEX Conference Room (2nd Floor, across from the elevator)

✨ What’s on the Agenda:

Marketing Strategy in GovCon: Susan Long-Molnar (Managing Communications) breaks down what true strategic marketing looks like in government contracting.

Banking & Growth: Selden Richards (Bank of America) shares key takeaways on what financial institutions look for when supporting GovCon businesses.

🎁 Bonus: Lunch is provided with your registration!

🎟 Save your seat now: https://lnkd.in/enuVM9XX

Inspire the next generation of talent while securing your future workforce! 🛠️💡Join us for the Worlds of Work Career Exp...
08/07/2026

Inspire the next generation of talent while securing your future workforce! 🛠️💡

Join us for the Worlds of Work Career Expo on October 20th & 21st—a dynamic, hands-on opportunity to introduce students and educators to high-demand, high-wage career pathways right here in our region.

With local industries facing growing skills shortages and upcoming retirement waves, building your future talent pipeline starts now. As an exhibitor, you won't just hand out brochures—you’ll deliver interactive, engaging experiences that showcase what makes your industry thrive.

Event Details:

📅 Date: October 20 & 21

📍 Focus: Hands-on career exploration for local students & educators

🎯 Goal: Bridge the regional skills gap and inspire tomorrow's workforce

Don't miss the chance to connect with your future team before they even enter the job market.

👉 Register as a vendor today: https://engage.theworkforcecouncil.org/register/?id=2e90cce4-3f9b-4393-8303-e3fb5dba4352

Ready to build your next big career move? 🛠️⚡Whether you are a current student, recent graduate, or an experienced pro l...
08/07/2026

Ready to build your next big career move? 🛠️⚡

Whether you are a current student, recent graduate, or an experienced pro looking for your next opportunity, the Tidewater Community College Workforce Solutions Skilled Trades Career Fair is where you need to be! Connect face-to-face with top employers actively hiring across the skilled trades.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, August 27
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Skilled Trades Academy | 3303 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701

Don't leave your next opportunity to chance. Spots fill up fast, so reserve yours today!

👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dpPtJgzu

🎉 Exciting News for Indian River! 🎉Last Thursday, we had the pleasure of celebrating the official ribbon-cutting ceremon...
07/13/2026

🎉 Exciting News for Indian River! 🎉

Last Thursday, we had the pleasure of celebrating the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new Grocery Outlet right here in Indian River! 🛒✨

This is Grocery Outlet’s second location in Chesapeake, bringing more affordable grocery options and new jobs to our community. We love seeing businesses grow and reinvest in our city!

Join us in welcoming them to the neighborhood and wishing the entire team a huge congratulations on a fantastic grand opening! 👏🎊

📍 Stop by and check out the new store in Indian River!

On Tuesday, we had the privilege of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office brand-new ...
06/25/2026

On Tuesday, we had the privilege of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office brand-new K-9 kennels! It was incredible to see the command staff, deputies, and community come together to celebrate this milestone. This new outdoor facility isn't just a dedicated space for the department's hard-working K-9s—it's also going to serve as a top-tier training area to keep them sharp. 🐾

What made the event truly special was learning how this project came to life. Special recognition goes to Master Deputy M. Lopez and his workforce crew, who built the entire space using donated materials and repurposed items. Witnessing that kind of resourcefulness and dedication firsthand was truly inspiring, and it’s clear this new space will support the K-9 Unit and our community for years to come!

🚀 Policy, Power, and Progress: Navigating the New Legislative Landscape 🚀Last Friday, our June EDAC meeting packed an in...
06/17/2026

🚀 Policy, Power, and Progress: Navigating the New Legislative Landscape 🚀

Last Friday, our June EDAC meeting packed an incredible amount of insight into our final session before the summer break!

We were thrilled to welcome Chris Lloyd, Senior Vice President of Infrastructure & Economic Development at McGuireWoods Consulting. Chris delivered an absolute masterclass on the shifting legislative landscape, breaking down exactly how evolving state and regional policies will impact infrastructure, development, and future business growth right here in Chesapeake. Keeping a pulse on these changes is so important as we continue to position our city for long-term economic success!

🤝 A Huge Thank You to Our Host!
A tremendous shout-out to the YMCA of South Hampton Roads for hosting us for Friday's session.

We were incredibly inspired by the update on their vital reinvestment plans for the expanded Greenbrier Family YMCA! This project is a beautiful reflection of their deep commitment to our community, ensuring that Chesapeake families and workers have top-tier wellness, childcare, and community spaces for generations to come. Thank you for your leadership and for investing so heavily in our city’s future! 🏋️‍♂️❤️

☀️ Looking Ahead
With June’s meeting in the books, EDAC is officially on summer recess. We won't be meeting in July or August, but we are already gearing up for a fantastic lineup when we resume in September!

Thank you to all of our committee members, regional partners, and business leaders for an outstanding first half of the year. Enjoy the summer break, and we’ll see you in September!

Address

555 Belaire Avenue, Suite 310
Chesapeake, VA
23320

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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