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

City Council of Chesapeake (Independent City) · March 17, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Economic Development detailed a small‑business support push: training, procurement assistance, a SizeUp analytics portal and a symposium that drew more than 110 attendees. Staff said they will explore smaller grants and micro‑loan options to expand financial support.

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…

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