Chesapeake highlights small‑business training, SizeUp tool and new incentive ideas

Stephen Wright, the city’s Director of Economic Development, told council the department is refocusing on small businesses after high‑profile large investments and described a multi‑pronged program of education, partner referrals and targeted incentives.

"Approximately 96% of the businesses in Chesapeake are indeed small businesses," Wright said, arguing that knowledge and access to procurement opportunities are as important as capital to sustaining the local business base.

Wright highlighted several initiatives: a small‑business symposium that drew more than 110 attendees (about half from Chesapeake), one‑on‑one counseling, government contracting training (a six‑week contracting series), and a recently launched small‑business portal with market and demographic data. Staff demonstrated SizeUp, an analytics tool the department will roll out more broadly in May during Small Business Month to give firms competitive benchmarking and a local "shop and eat" directory.

Kistine "KP" Plar and Tanisha "Sunny" Golston, members of Wright’s business development team, described outreach and partner work with the Small Business Development Center, the Hampton Roads Chamber and procurement staff to help businesses earn SWAM (small, women‑owned, minority and veteran) certification and pursue state and federal contracting.

Wright also flagged financial measures under consideration: microgrants, microloans and other small‑scale working‑capital programs to complement existing EDIP and façade grants. He said a third of past EDIP awards have gone to small businesses, though the total share of EDIP dollars going to small firms has been small.

Council members praised the work and encouraged continued emphasis on accessibility and tangible tools. Council member Whitaker, himself a small‑business owner, said he was "very encouraged" by available services and urged staff to continue outreach.

Staff said the next step is a broader SizeUp rollout to reach more local firms and to bring specific financing proposals to council for consideration.