Whether you're interested in opening a new business in Chesapeake or you have an existing business looking to expand, the City's Economic Development Department is committed to helping you succeed.

Business Retention: A city cannot be successful if its business community is not. The Economic Development Department has a business retention manager on staff who will work with you in finding the right formula for your success. We work closely with other city, regional and state agencies to ensure our business community has the resources necessary to prosper.

Permitting: The Economic Development Department has a professional engineer on staff dedicated to working with businesses in creating a streamlined development process. Understanding the needs from the business, city and engineering perspectives enables the Development Services Coordinator to provide you the most efficient options for completing your project. Since beginning this personalized service, permitting times have diminished greatly.

Site Selection: We will work with you and your representative in identifying the right location for your business. Our database includes information on office, manufacturing and distribution buildings throughout the City, as well as land available for development.

Workforce Services and Training: Some of the world's best workers live in Hampton Roads, but dynamic technology demands a training infrastructure that will ensure your employees will be ready for tomorrow's business world. Many options are available for new and existing firms to obtain training for your workforce, from state, regional and local organizations. Chesapeake's Economic Development Department will put you in touch with the training resource that's right for you.

Networking: Need to expand your client base? The Economic Development Department can put you in contact with businesses and organizations throughout the City and region. If you're a Chesapeake business, we can also provide a link to your website free of charge.

Information Resources: If you need demographic or marketing information, or assistance in creating a business plan, the Chesapeake Economic Development Department will help. If we don't have the resource you need, we'll point you in the right direction. Your business success translates to the City's success.