Bravo Broadway!
May 25
Hear stars of Broadway and New York's cabaret scene in an intimate, elegant setting! This enticing Read on
Cravings ~ The Energetics of Food
May 30
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"Keep It In York County" Initiative Begins!
May 31
On May 31, the York County Economic Development Authority will launch its new "Buy Local" Read on
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting - Dunkin Donuts at the Great Wolf Lodge
May 31
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Every state and every region speaks to their positive business climate. In Virginia as in the Greater Williamsburg region, the facts speak for themselves. Virginia is ranked the Best State for Business by Forbes.com, as it has been for three straight years. Virginia is also ranked as the Top State for Business by CNBC. Virginia placed in the top 10 states for economic factors such as cost of doing business, strong economy, education levels of workforce, business friendliness, transportation and infrastructure, quality of life, and regulatory environment. The Greater Williamsburg region exemplifies these and complements them with other strong economic elements and extraordinary development partnerships.
| • | One of the lowest combined state and local tax rates in the nation |
| • | Multiple incentive and service programs |
| • | Solid and comprehensive transportation, utility, and telecommunications infrastructures with competitive costs |
| • | Northernmost Right-to-Work state on the east coast and an Employment-at-Will state |
| • | Abundant, cost-effective labor resources |
| • | One of the lowest average net costs in the U.S. for Workers' Compensation Insurance and one of the lowest Unemployment Insurance rates |
| • | Diverse availability of land and buildings |
| • | Quality education |
Locating your business -- large or small -- in Greater Williamsburg, Virginia enhances its potential to positively impact its bottom line.
Read the entire profile below or skip to a specific section by clicking the links below. You may also download a PDF version of the document here.
Strategic Location | Right-to-Work State | Demographics & Employment | Utilities | Major Employers | Business by Industry Segment | Financing Resources | Financial Incentives | Workforce Training Programs | Workforce | Workforce Recruitment Assistance |
Conference & Meeting Facilities | Climate | Healthcare Services | Military Facilities | Cost of Living | Education |
The Greater Williamsburg region is located in the southeastern sector of Virginia in the heart of the Virginia Peninsula, within 20 minutes from the Port of Hampton Roads and less than one hour from Richmond and from Virginia Beach. The region is comprised of the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. Its mid-Atlantic location positions it well to all of the major markets in the eastern half of the United States. With its immediate access to all major transportation venues, it is also within hours of the mid-section of the United States. The region is one of the fastest growing in Virginia, due to its multitude of strengths as a business hub. Two-thirds of the nation's population and three-quarters of its national manufacturing activities are within a 500-mile radius of the region.
Regional Proximity to Major Markets
Many major metropolitan areas are within a short flight and/or a reasonable driving distance:
| • | Baltimore: 210 miles/1 hour flight |
| • | Boston: 631 miles/3 hour flight |
| • | Charleston, SC: 490 miles/3 hour flight |
| • | Chicago: 915 miles/2 hour flight |
| • | Denver: 6 hour flight |
| • | New York City: 350 miles/ 1 hour 15 min flight |
| • | Philadelphia: 315 miles/1 hour flight |
| • | Toronto: 700 miles/2 hour 12 min flight |
| • | Washington, D.C.: 150 miles/2.5 hour drive |
Airport Accessibility
Three international airports are located within a fifty minute drive of Greater Williamsburg:
| • | Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (“PHF”), 20-minute drive |
| • | Norfolk International Airport (“ORF”), 50-minute drive |
| • | Richmond International Airport (“RIC”), 50-minute drive |
There are more than 400 scheduled daily domestic and foreign flights from these airports, including 20 daily all-cargo flights via Airborne Express, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service, and the United States Postal Service. In 2008, there was a total of 8.1 million passengers and over 170 million pounds of cargo traveling through the airports. Airlines servicing these airports include AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, United/United Express, and US Airways. Ground transportation is readily available to all three airports.
The City of Williamsburg also has a smaller, regional airport, the Williamsburg Jamestown Airport (“JGG”), that is accessible for turbo-prop and corporate aircraft. The Williamsburg area is widely considered a premier, private jet charter flight and air charter destination whose air traffic has dramatically increased over the past decade.
Highway Accessibility
Greater Williamsburg is in the southeast quadrant of Virginia and is considered part of the Hampton Roads region. It is located:
| • | along Interstate 64 between Richmond and Norfolk, approximately 50 miles or a 45 minute drive from the major north-south highway between Maine and Florida, Interstate 95 |
| • | near Interstate 85, the major highway that connects the region through the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle to the major cities in central North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama |
Other major highways that connect the region to regional destinations include Interstate 65, Rt.199, U.S. Highway 60 (Richmond Road/Bypass Road), State Route 5 (Jamestown Road/John Tyler Highway), Route 132 and Route 143.
Three-quarters of the nation's manufacturing activities are within 500 miles of the Greater Williamsburg region. This makes the region an efficient location for the more than 150 local and national motor freight carriers that offer service to and from the state’s 250 warehouse and distribution centers and from Virginia’s three major cargo marine terminals.
Public Transportation
Centrally located within the Greater Williamsburg region is the Williamsburg Transportation Center, which is the only center in Virginia that offers full service transportation options. It is located in downtown Williamsburg with a convenient lot for long-term parking. The Center provides convenient access to several modes of transportation service, facilitating connectivity along the east coast and across the country, in addition to Greater Williamsburg:
| • | Amtrak | |
| • | Bus service: | |
| Greyhound | ||
| Several local carriers (e.g. Carey Transportation, Distinguished Executive Transportation, James River Bus Lines, Newton Bus Lines, Oleta Coach Lines, and Venture Tours) | ||
| Williamsburg Area Transport (a coordinated, regional transportation system) | ||
| • | Car rental: including Enterprise, Hertz, B&W Rental, Colonial Rent-A-Car, and Vanguard | |
| • | Taxi Service: including Yellow Cab of Williamsburg, Historic Taxi, and Williamsburg Taxi Service | |
Railroad Service
CSX Transportation Inc. provides commercial rail service to various sites throughout the region and direct access to more than half of the U.S. metropolitan areas, connecting to nearly all U.S. cities. CSX has a national CSX main line through the Greater Williamsburg area that runs parallel to Route 60 and Interstate 64 and has a Williamsburg office.
Passenger rail service is provided from the City of Williamsburg by Amtrak, with daily service to all major U.S. cities including Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
Waterway or Oceanport Accessibility
The Port of Virginia, in the strategic mid-Atlantic location, consistently ranks as one of the leading ports in the United States based on total foreign waterborne commerce and general cargo. Its three cargo marine terminals are located just to the southeast of Greater Williamsburg and consist of the Norfolk International Terminals (43 miles), the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, and the Newport News Marine Terminal (34 miles). More than 95% of the world’s largest shipping lines are linked through Virginia’s sheltered, ice-free harbor to destinations around the globe. The port area encompasses 25 square miles of easily accessible waterways and is located just 18 miles from the open seas. With 50-foot-deep, obstruction-free channels, ships carrying even the heaviest of cargos are provided the ease of steaming in and out of the port.
Annually, port-related business provides over 343,000 jobs, $13.5 billion in payroll revenues, and $1.2 billion in local tax revenues. Since 1996, port-related warehousing and distribution investment has increased by over $416 million and employed over 12,000 people in the Hampton Roads area alone. Significant product retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, Lillian Vernon, and Cost Plus have all set up distribution facilities throughout the Commonwealth in large measure due to the presence of a world class port facility and its supporting infrastructure.
More than 150 local and national motor freight carriers in vehicles ranging from flatbed trucks to container drays and specialized containers find the port and region an effective and efficient location to traverse. A barge service along the James River takes containers off the road between the Port and Richmond, thereby providing an environmentally-friendly transportation alternative.
The Port of Virginia contains a Foreign Trade Zone within its boundaries, including a 905 acre site at the Norfolk International Terminals, a 242 acre site at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, and a 184 acre site at the Newport News Marine Terminal.
Virginia is an employer-friendly state with its Employment-at-Will and Right- to-Work labor structures as per the Virginia Code Ann. §§ 40.1-58 through 40.1-69; Article 3, Denial or Abridgment of Right to Work:§ 40.1-58. Policy of article. -- It is hereby declared to be the public policy of Virginia that the right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or nonmembership in any labor union or labor organization. (Enacted 1947; amended 1970.)
It is also a state with business costs such as Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance that are among the lowest in the nation.
The Virginia Employment Commission maintains comprehensive demographic and employment statistics for the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. Information on population, households, employment, income, and industry can be found at the following links:
Businesses in the Greater Williamsburg region are able to take advantage of the highest quality in utility services, including an exceptional telecommunications system. This service includes a full range of high quality, technologically advanced communications capabilities that are robust and redundant and include dual fiber-optic cable networks and state-of-the-art digital switching equipment connecting to the U.S.'s major telecommunications’ corridors.
| Water | ||
| Waste Water Treatment | ||
| Refuse/Recycling/Waste Management | ||
| Electric Power | ||
| Natural Gas | ||
| Telecommunications | Verizon |
Avid Medical Ball Metal Beverage Container Group Branscome, Inc. Busch Properties Citizen’s & Farmer’s Bank College of William & Mary Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Coresix Cybernetics Delta T Eaton Great Wolf Resorts Henderson, Inc. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Lumber Liquidators Mid-Atlantic Coca-Cola National Center for State Courts Owens Brockway Glass Container Group |
Phillip Morris York Manufacturing Center Power Solutions, LLC Printpack, Inc. Riverside Regional Medical Center Ryson International, Inc. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Sentara Healthcare Thomas Nelson Community College U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Department of Homeland Defense Virginia Electric & Power Company Inc. Wal-Mart Walsh Electric Company Western Refining Yorktown, Inc. Williamsburg Environmental, Inc. The Yankee Candle Company Inc. York River Electric Inc. |
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting* Construction Manufacturing Wholesale Trade Retail Transportation & Utilities* Information* Financial Activities Professional & Business Services Health & Private Educational Services* Leisure & Hospitality* Other Services Public Administration (*Includes suppressed data) |
12 561 87 148 579 71 29 371 749 289 400 324 81 |
There are a variety of resources available to businesses looking to locate to the Greater Williamsburg region and to businesses planning to expand regionally. Low taxes and incentive choices make the State and the region one of the lowest combined state and local tax rates in the nation. Virginia’s 6 percent corporate income tax rate that has not been raised since 1972, and there are no local income tax, unitary tax, property tax on state level, local license tax on headquarters and regional offices, intangible property tax, or inventory tax. Specific State incentive and service programs include financial assistance, infrastructure development, and workforce training and tax credits.
| • | |
| • | Virginia Defense Conversion Revolving Loan Fund |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | Virginia Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | Export Financing Assistance Program |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | |
| • | Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing Grants |
Financial Institutions
Businesses exploring needs for financial assistance should contact one of more resources on the following list of regional financial institutions.
1st Advantage Federal Credit Union
Other Financial Assistance Resources
| • | Small Business Development Center Offers technical assistance to small businesses in business planning, marketing, financing, and international development. Helps prepare SBA loan packages. www.hrsbdc.org |
| • | Virginia Department of Business Assistance Offers free state-wide information on sites and buildings, labor, taxes, utilities, transportation services, financing, laws, and regulations. Offers a variety of direct and indirect financing programs such as the Loan Guaranty, the Virginia Capital Access, Economic Development Loan, and Real Estate & Capital Equipment Loan programs. www.dba.state.va.us |
| • | US Small Business Administration Issues a wide range of marketing and technical publications to help existing and prospective business owners and managers. Offers numerous programs and services. www.sba.gov |
| • | Waterside Capital Corporation A diversified, close-end investment company licensed by the US Small Business Administration as a Small Business Investment Corporation. www.watersidecapital.com |
Federal
The Historically Underutilized Business (“HUB”) Zone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in certain United States Census Tracts. The goals of the program empower communities, create jobs, and attract private investment. Businesses in specific census tracts in the City of Williamsburg and York County could qualify for the HUB program and should contact their local economic development organization.
State
The most comprehensive view of Virginia’s incentive programs is in the 2009-2010 Virginia Guide to Business Incentives. Although a brief summary of many of the State programs are provided below, a review of the document is recommended for a comprehensive understanding of the incentive opportunities when doing business in Virginia. This toolkit includes potential incentives for businesses in Greater Williamsburg such as property tax incentives, sales and use tax exemptions, and enterprise zones, grants, bonds, and loan programs. Additionally, the Center of Innovative Technology in Virginia has programs to assist small, innovative companies find access to new market and investment opportunities.
James River Enterprise Zone – A southeast portion of James City County has been designated by the State of Virginia as an enterprise zone effective January 1, 1996, until 2016. The program is a State and local partnership in which both parties seek to improve economic conditions within a targeted geographic area by offering incentives for commercial and industrial investment, development, and expansion. Both state and local incentives are available. A company located in the zone may qualify for both.
Corporate Income Tax Incentives
Virginia’s corporate income tax rate is 6 percent, and no unitary tax is levied on Virginia companies’ worldwide profits. To further enhance Virginia’s favorable tax treatment, the sales factor in the state’s income apportionment formula is double weighted, benefiting companies with significant Virginia payroll and property. The corporate apportionment formula was amended during the 2009 General Assembly session to allow manufacturing companies to use a single factor apportionment based on sales to determine their Virginia taxable income. This modification will be phased in as follows: for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2011, but before July 1, 2013, qualifying corporations may elect to use a triple-weighted sales factor; for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2013, but before July 1, 2014, qualifying corporations may elect to use a quadruple-weighted sales factor; and for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2014, and thereafter, qualifying corporations may elect to use the single sales factor method to apportion Virginia taxable income.
Businesses should refer to the 2008-2009 Virginia Guide to Local Taxes on Businesses.
Multiple resources are available in and near the Greater Williamsburg region for employee training and retraining assistance. Each locality in Greater Williamsburg partners with the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development to help ensure a well-trained workforce is available to meet the needs of employers.
Job Training Partnership
The federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Dislocated Worker Program provides services to workers who have lost their jobs as a result of adverse economic conditions or downsizing. The goal of the program is to return certified dislocated workers to gainful employment through basic readjustment services and training. Employers hiring displaced workers may be eligible to receive funding for up to half of the costs of on-the-job training.
Service may include, but are not limited to:
| • | Rapid response to business closures and substantial layoffs |
| • | Needs assessments |
| • | Educational and occupational skills training in a classroom setting |
| • | On-the-job skill training |
| • | Direct job placement |
| • | Relocation to a job beyond normal commuting distance |
State of Virginia Programs
Virginia is committed to partnering with the State’s employers to ensure a quality workforce. Several programs offered by the Virginia Jobs Investment Program and the Peninsula Workforce Development Council exist to assist both companies and employees.
One of the most notable workforce training programs is the Virginia Department of Business Assistance Virginia Jobs Investment Program (“VJIP”). The Program’s objective is to reduce the human resource development costs of new and expanding companies throughout the Commonwealth. It provides customized recruiting and training services for companies creating new jobs or experiencing technological change and offers consulting services, organizational development assistance, electronic media services, and funding to reduce the upfront costs of recruiting and training.
Companies that are eligible for assistance are limited to for-profit companies that create basic full-time employment (not engaged in retail) paying a minimum of $10/hr. In areas that have unemployment of two times or more the state level, the wage minimum may be waived. Companies in the manufacturing, distribution center, corporate headquarters for companies with multiple facilities, inbound call centers, information technology services exclusively to business, and research and development facilities sectors also qualify.
For more information on workforce training program incentives contact the Virginia Department of Business Assistance Workforce Services Team.
The Greater Williamsburg region provides employers a solid labor force base. Because of its location between two major metropolitan areas, it attracts employees from Richmond as well as across Hampton Roads. This provides the region access to a population of over 1.3 million, a pool of very strong, skilled potential workers. Many of these workers are local military personnel who elect to stay and work in the area for a total of over 15,000 potential trained and disciplined employees a year. In addition, there are approximately 20,000 military spouses available to work in the region. There are also more than 92,000 college students in the Hampton Roads region. In addition there are a significant number of people in federal research labs and tourism-related businesses currently employed in the area.
The cost of labor in the region is extremely competitive at 5 to 10% below the national average. Additionally, the Virginia Workers Compensation is among the lowest in the U.S., the Virginia unemployment tax rate is the second lowest in U.S., and the regional health care costs are 3-4% below national average.
Workforce Statistics
The Virginia Employment Commission Labor Market Information is the definitive resource for State and local labor market information.
Workforce Education Statistics
|
Less than Grade 12 |
High School Diploma |
Associate Degree/Some College |
Bachelor’s Degree |
Graduate or Professional Degree |
James City County |
3,655 |
7,099 |
9,148 |
8,449 |
5,691 |
Williamsburg |
557 |
1,115 |
1,275 |
1,268 |
1,145 |
York County |
3,008 |
7,649 |
11,999 |
7,567 |
5,945 |
Total |
7,220 |
15,863 |
22,422 |
17,284 |
12,781 |
Multiple workforce recruitment resources are available to businesses located in Greater Williamsburg. The most comprehensive employment service provider is the Virginia Employment Commission.
| • | Virginia Career View, the official Virginia state career information delivery system, is a national leader in the delivery of career information. Virginia View materials are available in more than 1,400 sites in Virginia, making it the largest state career information delivery system in the nation. |
| • | Offices of the Virginia Employment Commission offer free job postings for employers and other valuable no-fee services, including exposure of job vacancies, recruitment assistance, labor market information, tax credit information, and more. |
| • | A full-time Workforce Center is located in Williamsburg. |
The Peninsula Council for Workforce Development with the Peninsula Worklink's dedicated team of workforce experts is also a great resource for recruiting employees with the following services:
| • | Post a Job – The Peninsula Worklink One-Stop Career Centers provide a high visible job posting option that can be viewed by thousands of job seekers |
| • | Recruit Ex-Military – The exchange of potential employment opportunities for military personnel who are, or will soon be, entering the civilian workforce is facilitated. One available option is to post positions that may be of interest to military personnel. |
| • | Job Fair Information – The Peninsula Worklink conducts two to four job fairs each year and is a resource for area organizations conducting year-round job fairs. |
Greater Williamsburg has an international reputation for superior accommodations and conference centers. Political leaders from around the world have met in Williamsburg. The region contains 11 conference centers and over 90 lodging facilities that provide a variety of accommodations for the thousands of business travelers, convention participants, and vacationers who arrive here daily.
The Greater Williamsburg region experiences four distinct seasons. Spring and fall are beautiful with mild temperatures with the summers being warm and somewhat humid. Any accumulation of snow in the winter is rare. The monthly maximum and average temperatures and average precipitation are displayed in the following chart.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Annual |
Ave Hi (F) |
48.9 |
52.1 |
60.4 |
71.1 |
78.2 |
85.1 |
88.5 |
87.0 |
81.4 |
71.3 |
62.5 |
52.4 |
69.9 |
Ave Lo (F) |
28.0 |
30.0 |
36.4 |
45.3 |
54.4 |
62.5 |
67.4 |
66.3 |
60.3 |
48.5 |
39.4 |
31.4 |
47.5 |
Ave Precip |
3.71 |
3.47 |
4.29 |
3.21 |
4.24 |
3.81 |
4.53 |
5.15 |
4.26 |
3.35 |
3.26 |
3.38 |
47.56 |
The Greater Williamsburg region is home to several excellent healthcare facilities and an abundance of healthcare providers. Its current hospital is the Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center which is a non-profit hospital that offers 145 beds, 24-hour emergency treatment, and features the latest healthcare technologies. This hospital has over 120 physicians and more than 42 specialties.
Additional hospitals that are within a half-hour’s drive include:
| • | Riverside Hospital, Newport News, with 570 beds |
| • | Mary Immaculate Hospital, Newport News, with 115 beds, full general medical, surgical and acute care. |
| • | Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Hampton, 194 private rooms |
The region is also within is an hour’s driving distance to two university research facilities and hospitals:
| • | The Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond |
| • | Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk |
Other area health care facilities include Olde Town Medical Center, Eastern State Hospital, Colonial Mental Health, Riverside Healthcare Center, Riverside Renal Dialysis, Bon Secours-Depaul Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters Pediatric Clinic.
The Greater Williamsburg region is proud to be located near a multitude of military facilities for several branches of service.
| • | Air Force Langley Air Force Base |
| • | Army Fort Eustis Fort Monroe Fort Story |
| • |
Naval Air Station Oceana, Dam Neck Annex Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Naval Weapons Station Norfolk |
| • | Coast Guard |
Quality of life is significantly enhanced in the region by its relatively low cost of living. Most areas currently use the ACCRA Cost of Living Index when comparing costs of living between areas. The index measures differences between areas in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile.
Composite Index |
111.1 |
Groceries |
109.3 |
Housing |
119.5 |
Utilities |
104.2 |
Transportation |
99.1 |
Health Care |
108.9 |
Miscellaneous |
110.8 |
National average = 100
Data retrieved from the Hampton Roads Economic Development
Elementary and Secondary
The public school systems in Greater Williamsburg consistently rank above average in national ratings. Quality private schools are also available. For additional information, visit the school system web sites. For detailed, historical performance data on school systems, visit the Virginia Department of Education.
Williamsburg/James City County Public Schools
Population: 73,629 Sq Miles Served: 143 No. of Teachers: 830 No. of Students: 10,137 Student/Teacher Ratios: K-2 20:1 3-5 25:1 6-8 23.25:1 9-12 22.25:1 |
Demographics: White: 69.4% Black: 20.9% Hispanic: 5.1% All Others: 4.6% Students with Disabilities: 13.6% Limited English Proficiency: 2.4% Students receiving free/reduced lunch: 21.48% |
Percentage of Graduates going on to College: 85 Approximate Cost per pupil: $10K 2007-2008 Budget: $110,577,637 |
York County Public School System
Statistics Employee Diversity Minority 21.9% Non-Minority 78% Educational Level of Teachers Bachelor’s Degrees 24% Bachelor’s Degrees +15 Hrs 32% Master’s 38% Master’s +30 hrs 7% |
Students Total Students 12,450 Total Employees 1,850 Licensed Employees 950 YCSD has 19 Schools 10 Elementary 4 Middle 4 High 1 Charter |
Student/Teacher Ratios Elementary Kindergarten 17.41:1 Grade 1 18.65:1 Grade 2 20.37: 1 Grade 3 20.37:1 Grade 4 21.91:1 Grade 5 21.55:1 Middle Schools 14.75:1 High Schools 14.25:1 |
Colleges and Universities
The Greater Williamsburg area is supported by a multitude of higher education venues that meet a variety of business needs. The region is particularly proud to be the home of the College of William and Mary. William & Mary is the nation's best small, public university, famous for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum, and dedicated, engaged professors. It is the second oldest college in the nation, but is also a cutting-edge research university. The campus adjoins Colonial Williamsburg and is masterwork of preservation and innovation.
Other colleges and universities that are within an hour’s drive of Greater Williamsburg include:
Community Colleges
Greater Williamsburg’s community college, Thomas Nelson Community College (“TNCC”) offers a wide range of career opportunities in workforce development, adult education and continuing education. TNCC has two campuses in Greater Williamsburg and maintains a very close relationship with the region's business community by providing specialized curriculum development to meet the region's specialized workforce development needs. It offers workforce development assistance in the form of assessment and customized training for companies. The Discovery Center in Williamsburg’s New Town area location supports just-in-time workforce education, customized training and related services for the business community, current company employees, entrepreneurs, transitional and dislocated workers. The new, second location on the Warhill site near Williamsburg Outlet Mall (Route 199 & Route 60) also serves the workforce development needs of the business community and helps individual citizens achieve their educational goals.
Business Resources
State and Local County Government Web Sites
City of Williamsburg, Virginia
Economic Development Organizations
Local
City of Williamsburg: Economic Development Department
City of Williamsburg: Economic Development Authority
James City County: Office of Economic Development
James City County: Economic Development Authority
York County: Office of Economic Development
York County: Economic Development Authority
Expanded Region/State
Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA)
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)
Virginia Department of Business Assistance (DBA)
Virginia Department of Transportation
Virginia Economic Developers Association
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Chambers of Commerce/Tourism Organizations
There are Chambers of Commerce and tourism organizations that provide services in the region for local businesses. The opportunities provided to members include networking, education, events and activities, general area marketing, advertising, and sponsorships. Program-specific details can be found at each web site.
Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance 421 N. Boundary Street Williamsburg, VA 23187-3495 (T) 757-229-6511 (F) 757-229-2047 Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 445 Grafton Drive Yorktown, VA 23693 (T) 757-890-6203 Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 21 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 100 Hampton, VA 23666 (T) 757-262-2000 (F) 262-2009 |
Virginia Chamber of Commerce 9 South Fifth Street Richmond, VA 23219 T (804) 644-1607 Virginia Tourism Corporation 901 East Byrd Street Richmond, VA 23219 York County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 1103 Yorktown, VA 23692 (T) 757-877-5920 www.yorkcountycc.org |
Technology Resources
Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (“CIT”) is a private, nonprofit corporation created by the state to enhance competitiveness by providing business with access to the state's technological resources and assistance in the creation and retention of high-technology jobs. CIT helps Virginia companies to acquire technology, turn technology into a product, and take technology-based products to the market.
Other technology resources:
Companies locating to Greater Williamsburg may benefit from engaging these local resources, facilitating partnerships to achieve their own corporate goals.
Other Resources
Service Corps of Retired Executives (“SCORE”)
SCORE counselors/former executives who are experts in at least one business field, like marketing, finance, or accounting and volunteer free of charge to provide individual, custom advice to business owners.
Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
421 N. Boundary Street
Williamsburg, VA 23187-3495
757-229-6511
Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads, Inc. (“SBDC”)
Offers technical assistance to small businesses in business planning, marketing, financing, and international development. Helps prepare SBA loan packages.
600 Butler Farm Road, Suite A1105
Hampton, VA 23666
(T) 757-865-3128
(F) 757-865-5885
US Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Issues a wide range of marketing and technical publications to help existing and prospective business owners and managers. Offers numerous programs and services. Call to order a free copy of the “Resources Directory for Small Business Management.”
400 North 8th Street Federal Building, Suite 1150
PO Box 10126
Richmond, VA 23240
(T) 804-771-2400 (F) 804-771-2764
Virginia Department of Business Assistance (DBA)
Offers free state-wide information on sites and buildings, labor, taxes, utilities, transportation services, financing, laws, and regulations. Offers a variety of direct and indirect financing programs such as the Loan Guaranty, the Virginia Capital Access, Economic Development Loan, and Real Estate & Capital Equipment Loan programs.
PO Box 446
707 East Main Street, Suite 300
Richmond , VA 23219
(T) 804-371-0438
Additional assistance and information can be found at: