CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – The Metro Charlottesville area has been named in the top 50 places in the country to launch a small business by Money Magazine. Charlottesville was also ranked 19th among smaller cities in the country with Billings, MT and Bismarck, ND taking the top spots. For all markets Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Houston, and Hartford made up the top five. Charlottesville and other Virginia cities have made similar lists in previous years but this is the first year that Charlottesville has been singled out as the only city in the state to make either the small, medium or large metropolitan listing.
“We are very pleased to be recognized in this prestigious survey this year for our healthy business climate and competitive costs for doing business,” said Aubrey Watts, Director of Economic Development for the City, “we hope that this important ranking encourages other enterprising businesses to consider Charlottesville home and recognize the opportunities that are possible in Charlottesville even in these challenging economic times.”
According to the editors of the survey the top markets had “growing economies, affordable workers, stable housing markets, low crime -- these metro areas have all the features entrepreneurs need to thrive.” The rankings cover hundreds of metropolitan areas and are based on job and income growth, business and living costs, crime, and educational attainment.
The city is no stranger to accolades; Charlottesville has the honor of besting 402 other metro areas in the United States and Canada to claim the title of "Best Place to Live" in "Cities Ranked and Rated" by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander. For a list of other awards and recognitions log onto:
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From Money.com
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MSA: Charlottesville, VA
Best places ranking: #19 among small metro areas
Population: 194,391
Entrepreneurs with brainy businesses find Charlottesville a great place to launch. The University of Virginia plays a starring role, bringing diversity and tremendous cultural, creative, scientific and historical resources to the city. It also helps foster Charlottesville's thriving entrepreneurial community. Local business owners can't say enough good things about Darden, UVA's graduate business school, which boasts the world-class Batten Institute for entrepreneurship. In addition to fostering education on innovation, Batten offers incubator space and other assistance to grad students starting businesses.
For a relatively small town, there's a good deal of venture capital here and in nearby Washington, D.C. Robust business networks help new entrepreneurs find angels and other investors. Finding the right employees, though, can be a challenge. Tech entrepreneurs can qualify for generous breaks on their local business taxes, but they have to compete for talent with rivals in Silicon Valley and other higher-paying areas.
But Charlottesville's quality of life can't be beat: The nearby Blue Ridge Mountains provide endless hiking opportunities, and oenophiles enjoy the growing number of vineyards surrounding the city. The city offers good schools and a low cost of living -- and right at its heart is a walkable, almost European pedestrian mall with numerous theaters, restaurants, cafes, artists, and musicians. -Elaine Appleton Grant