Harrisonburg economic development highlights private investment, launches entrepreneurship coaching for 29 small firms
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Summary
Economic Development reported population and job growth, notable private investments (Farmer Focus, Cary Foods, bicycle company), and launched a 29‑business entrepreneur coaching program that pairs firms with specialist mentors and offers up to $2,500 grants on completion.
Economic Development Director Brian Scholl briefed council Feb. 25 on population, employment and business trends and announced a new entrepreneurship development initiative.
Scholl said Harrisonburg added about 2,000 people over the past four years and the metropolitan area (city plus county) added about 5,300 people over that period. Unemployment remained low (around 3.3%), below national averages. Scholl highlighted major private investments in the food sector, including Farmer Focus (a new 78,000‑square‑foot facility with a reported $65 million investment and about 1,350 local employees) and Cary Foods (a major broth/soup manufacturing facility that added jobs and invested in a $12 million boiler replacement). He also noted an Icelandic‑designed bicycle company that operates U.S. headquarters and assembly in Harrisonburg.
Scholl described a city‑funded entrepreneurship development initiative for early‑stage firms (rough revenue band targeted $5,000–$125,000). The program enrolled 29 businesses and pairs them with specialist coaches through a contracted provider; participants work on a growth plan and may receive a $2,500 grant on successful completion. The city expects to conclude the program and report results by June.
Council members praised the initiative and discussed the role of small business and wage growth in local economic strategy.
