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Fiddles and Fifths - Bourbon and Bluegrass Festival is happening Saturday, September 12, 2026. Click HERE to learn more. |
Winchester Economic Development Newsletter
The City of Winchester, Economic Development Authority, focuses on attracting, expanding, and retaining economic development activity to maximize our industrial and commercial land use. Our strategy includes preserving the city's social, environmental, architectural, and cultural fabric.
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Bro Bears Drive Thru Coffee
Big Flavor, Bigger Welcome
What started in 2018 with a dream, a blended family, and a belief in Winchester has grown into two Bro Bears Drive Thru Coffee locations and a team dedicated to making every customer’s day a little brighter. Greg and Jenise built Bro Bears around connection, creativity, and community—and their unique name comes from combining their blended family names, Brault (“Bro”) and Hubert (“Hu-Bear”).
From supporting local schools and creating fun community traditions to hosting eight weddings in their first-ever Impromptu Drive-Thru I Do! on Valentine’s Day, Bro Bears continues to find creative ways to connect with Winchester. And, of course, they’re serving up plenty of creative coffee drinks, cold brews, smoothies, handcrafted energy drinks, waffles, mini donuts, and other sweet treats.
With locations on Berryville Avenue and South Pleasant Valley Road, Bro Bears is proud to call Winchester home and looks forward to continuing to grow alongside the community.
Bro Bears Drive Thru locations are open: Monday–Friday: [7] a.m.–[4] p.m. and
Saturday–Sunday: [8] a.m.–[5] p.m.
Follow Bro Bears Drive-Thru Coffee on social media at @BroBearsCoffee.
| | 'They're learning and they leave with skills': US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon tours Innovation Center | Beer and Cider Trail a big boost for local tourism | Pulse Biohacking weight-loss services focus on overall health | Commission recommends denial of revision to Fairmont Greens plan | Local high schools ranked in US News & World Report | | Shenandoah University piloting new lifelong learning program | 'I'm old school': Brooks still motoring after 43 years at same car dealership | Valley Health unveils mobile mammography unit | City considering rules for e-bikes and other personal transportation devices | Amanda Killen to lead Frederick County's economic development efforts | | GRANTS, LOANS & OTHER RESOURCES | | Virginia’s AFID Grant Program provides reimbursable funding for capital projects that strengthen local food and agricultural infrastructure, including food hubs, farmers’ markets, commercial kitchens, and processing facilities. The Fall 2026 grant round opens September 14 and closes October 30. | People Incorporated of Virginia provides business services in Winchester, including business loans, technical support, and marketing assistance. | Grants for small businesses, for-profit organizations, corporations and LLC, including government, state, local federal, and foundation grant funding. | The Virginia Economic Development Partnership have launched InternshipsVA, a program to help Virginia employers create high-quality, paid internship programs. | The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) provides loans, lender support, bond financing, and other funding programs to help Virginia businesses and nonprofits access the capital they need to start, grow, expand, and create jobs. | Click below for 125+ grants, loans, and scholarships for women | | Finding funding can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes. Click below to find 100 + Grants, Loans, and Programs to Benefit Your Small Business. | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. | Virginia employers may qualify fo monthly stipends of $500-$1,000 for up to six months through the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Full Employment Program (FEP) when hiring eligible participants. Contact fep@dss.virginia.gov for details. | Do you need funding to grow your small business? A 7(a) loan, SBA's primary business loan option, can help. | Certificates of Free Sale are sometimes requested by foreign purchasers to assure that products are freely available and sold in the United States. To learn more and request a Certificate of Free Sale, click the link below. | | Great grant opportunities for Women Business Owners including grants. The next grant deadline is August 31, 2026. | You could receive up to $4,000 for your small business through the NASE Growth Grants program. | The Merchant offers 4,000 square feet of co-working office and event space, featuring private offices with 24/7 access and flexible terms without long contracts or high overheads. | SCCF can assist entrepreneurs who are unable to attain capital through commercial lending. Small business microloans range from $1,000 to $50,000, for small businesses that do not qualify for commercial business loans. | The HerRise Micro-Grant provides funding to women of color who are creating a positive community impact. | Click below for a list of 35+ small business grants for minority entrepreneurs. | | WEBINARS, CLASSES, EVENTS & MORE | | Shenandoah University's HIVE (Hub for Innovators, Veterans, and Entrepreneurs) is hosting a 6 week Veteran Bootcamp designed to equip veterans with the tools, strategies, and confidence to turn ideas into thriving businesses. Classes are every Thursday - September 17-October 22, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Click the link below to register for this event. | Grow Your Business Without Limits: Leveraging Global Talent & AI to Grow Your Business | The HIVE at Shenandoah University is hosting a virtual workshop designed for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders, this session will explore how Virtual Assistants and AI Agents can help streamline operations, reduce costs, automate tasks, and create more time to focus on growth. This virtual seminar will take place on Friday, October 9th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. | |
The Virginia Small Business Development Center ((SBDC) offers a wide variety of webinars and in-person events. Below are just a few. Visit their website to discover all of their events and workshops here.
Upcoming SBDC Events & Webinars:
| Virginia Micro-Intership Experience | The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) is connecting college students and recent graduates with short-term, paid professional projects. There are currently 24+ summer projects available across various industries. For more information about V-TOP, please click the link below. | This year’s event will be held on Thursday, October 2, at Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, bringing together local businesses, educators, and economic development partners to give nearly 3,000 eighth-grade students a hands-on look at careers across a variety of industry sectors. For more information, please click the link below. | | Top of Virginia Regional Chamber are hosting a FREE AI training aimed to equip small businesses with the practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills they need to compete and grow. The event will be held at The Winchester Economic Development Authority Office on Monday, August 24th from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. To register, click the link below. | The Martinsburg VA Medical Center will host its annual Career Fair on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 510 Butler Avenue, Martinsburg, WV. Employers and service organizations are invited to participate at no cost, with tables, chairs, and lunch provided. Organizations interested in connecting with Veterans seeking employment are encouraged to register early by completing the registration form and emailing it to anna.slack@va.gov | Virginia Works will offer a series of webinars that explore critical workforce development strategies, from building talent pipelines to retention solutions. | |
Upcoming VA Works Webinars:
| 2026 Destination Ambassador Program | The Winchester Frederick County Tourism Office is offering the Tourism Ambassador Program, this training was created to educate local employees, businesses and attractions about the healthy local tourism industry. This course is being held on Tuesday, August 25th from 8:30 AM - 12 PM at the Winchester Regional Airport. To register, click the link below. | Free Small Business Administration Webinars | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers free webinars and training sessions that help entrepreneurs and small business owners build essential skills in areas such as business planning, financing, marketing, government contracting, cybersecurity, and financial management. For full course offerings, click here. | Employment Law Update Day | Join WASHRM on September 16th from 8:00AM-3:00PM at The George Washington Hotel for the 2026 Employment Law Update, featuring expert insights on workers’ compensation, fraud and embezzlement awareness, employment law changes, and workplace compliance. Registration is available for HR professionals and business leaders. | Winchester Main Street Foundation is hosting Celebración of Winchester--an afternoon celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture through live music, dance, food, vendors, and family-friendly activities. The event will be held on September 19th from 12–4PM on the Old Town Pedestrian Mall. Click the link to learn more. | | Friends of Old Town in the News: Dawg Days to turn Old Town into a wonderful world of wieners | Click the link below to read more about FoOT's Fundraiser and event. | |
Upcoming Downtown Events:
| | EDA Connects Local Businesses with Valuable Resources | The Winchester Business Resource Fair brought together local entrepreneurs and small business owners with organizations offering valuable resources, programs, and services to support business growth. Hosted in partnership with Shenandoah University’s HIVE and People Incorporated of Virginia, the event provided opportunities to connect, learn, and build relationships within Winchester’s business community. For more on this event, follow the link below. | The Reserve Receives EDA Support Through Growing Business Development Program | |
The Winchester Economic Development Authority recently awarded The Reserve, a new hospitality destination planned for 173 N. Loudoun Street, a Growing Business Development Program Waiver (GBD-PW). The program provides eligible small businesses with support for educational programs through Top of Virginia Regional Chamber (TRVC) membership.
The Reserve, expected to open in 2026, will bring chef-inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, live jazz, private dining, and an elevated lounge experience to Historic Old Town Winchester.
The EDA is pleased to support The Reserve as it prepares to become an active member of Winchester’s business community, create new employment opportunities, promote tourism, and contribute to the continued vibrancy of downtown.
| | Investing in Winchester Businesses: EDA Awards EIGP Grant | | |
The Winchester Economic Development Authority recently awarded an $11,784.82 Exterior Improvement Grant Program (EIGP) grant to Premier Tops Inc. and SoJo Bistro for exterior improvements at 12, 14 and 16 S. Braddock Street. The project included improvements such as an awning replacement, storefront glass and door installation, exterior painting, windows, gutters, and other exterior enhancements.
The EIGP is designed to help local businesses and property owners invest in and improve their commercial properties. The matching grant provides up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $20,000 for projects located within Winchester’s Enterprise Zone (EZ), or $15,000 to non-EZ projects. Priority is given to businesses within the Enterprise Zone, helping encourage property improvements and continued investment in the city’s commercial areas. For more information on the EDA's incentive programs, click the link below.
| | If you're a local business and would like to invite members of the EDA for a tour/visit, please let us know! Send us an email at: Econ.Dev@winchesterva.gov. | | |
Economic Development Authority Meetings
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August 18, 2026 Agenda
- The next EDA Board Meeting will occur on September 22, 2026
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