BUSINESS GROUPS

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: September 6, 2007

From outfits specializing in entrepreneurial start-ups to groups that aid corporations in relocations, the Charlottesville region has a number of agencies whose goal is to support business. Among these are:

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Dedicated to representing private enterprise, supporting local businesses and enhancing the quality of life in the area, the chamber represents about 1,200 area member organizations. 295-3141 or www.cvillechamber.org.

The Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development. A mixture of private and public interests, the partnership actively supports job creation and business investment in the region. The group focuses on both recruitment of new businesses and the growth of existing outfits. The group is also the local sponsor of the Small Business Development Center. 979-5610 or www.tjped.com.

Virginia Piedmont Technology Council + Charlottesville Venture Group. The two organization merged in February 2007. A nonprofit advocate for entrepreneurship, the group is also focused on promoting technology based economic development. The organization has a combined membership of more than 300 companies, and it offers programs, information and business opportunities to its members and supporters. 817-6300 or www.vptc-cvg.org.

The Neon Guild. An association of professionals in the technology field, the guild has about 350 members. 923-9524 or www.neonguild.org.

SCORE. The Service Corps of Retired Executives local chapter of the national organization is dedicated to entrepreneur education and the growth of small businesses. 295-6712 or www.score-494.org.