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Grace Greene, manager of the Polka Dot Pot, a create your own art studio on the Loudoun Street Mall in downtown Winchester, paints a spring floral scene on the front windows of the studio. Photo credit: Jeff Taylor, The Winchester Star |
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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| Winchester Floral is located at 1939 Valley Avenue, Winchester, VA 22601. Owner Stephanie Tierney creates an arrangement of roses. | |
Winchester Floral: In Full Bloom
Founded in 1983, Winchester Floral has served the Winchester and Frederick County region for more than 40 years, providing fresh floral arrangements and custom designs for weddings, funerals, holidays, birthdays, and everyday occasions. Located on Valley Avenue, the family-owned business also offers plant gardens, gift baskets, sympathy arrangements, and full-service wedding florals with delivery and setup throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Their wedding work has been featured in Virginia Bride Magazine and other online wedding publications.
Owner Stephanie Tierney began working as a floral designer in 1993 and purchased the shop in 2013 after working under two previous owners. Under her leadership, Winchester Floral has continued to grow while maintaining its reputation for personalized service, creativity, and attention to detail. The shop has been recognized with the Winchester Star Award for Best Flower Shop for five consecutive years.
In addition to serving customers across the region, Winchester Floral regularly partners with local charities and community events, including NW Works Farm to Table, Historic Garden Week, Valley Health Pink Ribbon initiatives, and several Apple Blossom events. Through decades of service and community involvement, the business remains a trusted local resource for floral and gift needs.
| | Approval process underway for 3rd Neighborhood Design District | Winchester's third Neighborhood Design District, this one along Berryville Avenue, moved one step closer to creation this week when the city's Planning Commission recommended that City Council add the district to its Comprehensive Plan. | Piccadilly's Pub: From vacant warehouse to community fixture | Some establishments become so popular and engrained in their communities that it feels like they've always been there. Such is the case with Piccadilly's Public House and Restaurant, which seems like it has been around for much longer than its 20 years. | 'I love reading. I love plants': New shop brings books and botanicals to Old Town | The idea was simple. Ashley Hoffman loves reading, and she also loves plants. What could be better than a space dedicated to her two favorite things? And what better place to set up shop than a storefront in downtown Winchester? | Trex promotes Lauer to senior vice president/COO | Winchester-based Trex Co. Inc. announced on Tuesday that Zachary C. Lauer has been promoted to senior vice president and chief operations officer. Lauer has been with Trex for 10 years, most recently serving as senior vice president of supply chain and manufacturing. |
City approves budget with no tax increases
| City Council has approved Winchester's operating budget for fiscal year 2027 without raising any taxes. The only real sticking point for passing the $126,250,000 budget for FY27, which is a $5,690,000 increase from the city's current annual spending plan of $120,560,000, was procedural. | An American dream come true: Violino's celebrating its 30th anniversary | At the north end of the Loudoun Street Mall in Winchester stands an Italian restaurant that exemplifies how hard work and dedication can turn dreams into reality. Violino Ristorante Italiano was founded 30 years ago by Franco and Marcella Stocco, who immigrated from Italy to become restaurateurs in the United States. | 'You have made this a better place': More than 1400 graduate from Shenandoah University | Shenandoah University celebrated the achievements of more than 1,400 graduates at its 2026 commencement held Saturday inside the James R. Wilkins Jr. Athletics and Events Center. This year’s ceremony honored 269 August 2025 graduates, 322 December 2025 graduates and 822 candidates for May degree conferrals, according to an SU media release. | | New outdoor market opening Saturday in Winchester | The Winchester Local & International Market launches this Saturday in front of the Moose Lodge at 215 E. Cork St. An outdoor market, it will offer an eclectic mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade items, beverages, music and more. | CEO: Valley Health has made strides in patient satisfaction | Valley Health must change its operations to cope with an expected $80 million annual loss in Medicaid reimbursements, according to its chief executive. "We're not going to see the impact immediately," President and CEO Mark Nantz said Wednesday. | 'I want to take it home': Innovations Center students debut tiny house | If you want to learn about carpentry or electricity, building a house is pretty much a crash course in many of the skills in those trades. That was the idea behind a year-long project at the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center this school year. | 6 tourism initiatives in region awarded state grants | Six tourism initiatives in the Northern Shenandoah Valley have been awarded a total of $93,815 from the Virginia Tourism Corp. (VTC) as part of its Spring 2026 grant cycle. In the Winchester area, Root to Table Ltd. is to receive $20,000 for its "Field to Fork Summer Culinary Series." | 'Family business': 3 Joyners retire after 92 combined years at WPS | A combined 92 years of service to Winchester Public Schools and 126 years in education are drawing to a close as three members of the Joyner family prepare to retire at the end of the school year. Doug Joyner, his wife Bobbie Joyner and his sister Martha Gay Joyner have dedicated decades of their lives to WPS, Bobbie as a long-time classroom teacher, Martha as a school nurse and Doug in roles ranging from teacher to division-level administrator. | Stoneridge Outdoor Living donates deck to active-duty soldier | Stoneridge Outdoor Living of Winchester is continuing its practice of building two free decks per year for veterans or active-duty military personnel. The latest deck was installed in February at the Frederick County home of Ryan and Jessica Bateman and their daughter, Madison. | WMC's EmPATH unit improving emergency mental health care | Winchester Medical Center's EmPATH unit is making it quicker and calmer for patients to receive emergency mental health care, according to hospital officials. EmPATH is an acronym for Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing. People needing immediate care for behavioral or emotional crises can go there at any time of the day or night. | | For more articles like these, make sure to subscribe to The Winchester Star! | | GRANTS, LOANS & OTHER RESOURCES | | Did you know People Incorporated of Virginia provides business services in Winchester, including business loans, technical support, and marketing assistance? They received a $300,000 grant to support women-owned businesses! | Grants for small businesses, for-profit organizations, corporations and LLC, grants for small business startup and growth 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 that build strong talent pipelines. | Did you know that VEDP provides Certificates of Free Sale for most products? 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. | Virginia employers may be eligible to receive monthly stipends through the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Full Employment Program (FEP) for hiring qualified, job-ready participants. Employers can receive between $500 and $1,000 per month for up to six months based on hours worked. For more information, contact an FEP consultant at fep@dss.virginia.gov or inquire through your local department of social services. | | Whether you're starting a new small business or looking to grow the one you already own, finding funding can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes. Click here to find 100 + Grants, Loans, and Programs to Benefit Your Small Business. | The HerRise Micro-Grant provides financial assistance to women of color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. These SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need. | As a mission-based lender, SCCF can assist entrepreneurs who are unable to attain capital through commercial lending. Small business microloans range from $1,000 to $50,000, and can fund various expenses, including equipment, inventory, and working capital for small businesses that do not qualify for commercial business loans. | Small Business Grants for Minority Entrepreneurs, plus additional resources. Minority-owned businesses are less likely to be fully approved for financing compared to their white-owned counterparts — according to data from the Federal Reserve published in 2025. For a list of 35+ small business grants for minority entrepreneurs. | | Great grant opportunities for Women Business Owners including grants like the $10,000 StartUp Grant, Amber Grant, and Education & Childcare Grant! The next grant deadline is May 31, 2026. | Need $4,000 To Help Your Business Grow? Apply for a business development grant from the National Association for the Self-Employed. You could receive up to $4,000 for your small business through the NASE Growth Grants program. Grants can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring employees, expanding facilities, and other specific business needs. | Do you need funding to grow your small business? A 7(a) loan, SBA's primary business loan option, can help. A 7(a) loan can be used for working capital, purchasing real estate, buying equipment, and much more. Learn how to apply and find an SBA approved lender. | VEDP's Virginia Global Business Internship Program is now accepting student applications for summer 2026. Students enrolled in Virginia's public colleges and universities have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international trade and build their global business skills. To learn more and view the open positions, click the link below. | The Merchant is 4,000 square feet of co-working office and event space designed to capture both the history and contemporary vibrancy of Winchester. Private offices allow 24 hour access to dedicated office space without the hassle of long contracts or high overheads. | | WEBINARS, CLASSES, EVENTS & MORE | | The Winchester Area Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), in partnership with the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting an interactive roundtable discussion titled: HR Nightmares: What's Keeping Small Business Owners Up at Night on May 27, 2026 from 8:00AM - 12:00PM. Click the link below to register for the event. For more information about SHRM, please click here. | Virginia Works will offer a series of webinars that explore critical workforce development strategies, from building talent pipelines to retention solutions. Each session features expert presentations, peer discussions in breakout rooms, resources to take away, and actionable next steps you can implement immediately. | |
Upcoming VA Works Webinars:
| The Winchester EDA, People Inc. of Virginia are hosting a Business Resource Fair at Shenandoah University's Hub for Innovators, Veterans, & Entrepreneurs (HIVE) on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM at the Winchester Regional Airport Business Center. Click the link below to register for this event. | | Lunch & Learn - IT Solutions | Top of Virginia Regional Chamber is hosting a Lunch & Learn session focused on IT solutions for your business. The session is Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM at the Winchester Regional Airport Business Center. Check our TRVC's Community Calendar here. Click the link below to register for this event. | |
Upcoming Score Webinars:
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May 27, 2026 - Networking Face-to-Face: Part 1 -- Preparing a Game Plan for Success
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May 30, 2026 - Write your Business Plan (May)
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June 9, 2026 - Tax Implementations for Small Business
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June 10, 2026 - Networking Face-to-Face: Part 2 -- How to Succeed at the Event
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June 17, 2026 - Top 5 Reasons Banks Deny Business Loan Requests
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The Virginia Small Business Development Center ((SBDC) offers a wide variety of webinars and in-person events. Below are just a few. Please visit their website to discover all of their events and workshops here.
Upcoming SBDC Events & Webinars:
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May 26 - Business Foundations - Money
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June 4 - SBA Loan Programs: Up to $5 Million available for Small Businesses
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June 9 - Intro to State Government Contracting with SBSD
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June 16 - Startup Toolbox: Hiring Your First Employee
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June 23 - Small Business Financial Management - Growth Strategies
| | Friends of Old Town celebrate progress of new Old Town Mural | |
Friends of Old Town’s newest mural project is bringing fresh energy and creativity to downtown Winchester as muralist, Annelise, transforms a downtown wall into a vibrant public art installation.
Made possible through support from the John & Janice Wyatt Foundation, the Winchester Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, The Typewriter Studio, the Friends of Old Town Public Arts Subcommittee, and KEE Construction Services Inc, the project highlights the important role public art plays in creating a welcoming, active downtown environment that encourages visitors and residents alike to explore, connect, and spend time in the community.
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Upcoming Downtown Events:
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Want to stay up to date on what's happening in Downtown Winchester? Make sure to visit Friends of Old Town's new website and give their social media a follow!
| | Winchester EDA Team at The Employer Expo held on Wednesday, May 13, 2006. From right to left: Director Jeff Buettner, Deputy Director Vanessa Santiago, Financial Analyst Sam Iden, and Project Coordinator Amanda Greenacre. | EDA in the News: Jobs aplenty to be found at Employer Expo | |
The Employer Expo was held on May 13th and brought together more than 80 employers and hundreds of job seekers from across the region for a day focused on networking, hiring, and workforce development.
Attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with employers representing a variety of industries and explore current job openings and career pathways.
The event was made possible through the support of the regional economic development authorities of Winchester, Frederick County, Clarke County, and Shenandoah County, sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union; the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber; Virginia Works; and our media sponsors, iHeart Media and The River 95.3., volunteers, and employers who continue to invest in strengthening the local workforce and creating meaningful opportunities within our community.
Check out The Winchester Star article below.
| | City Official: Casino proposal on hold: Publix still a go | | Winchester's bid to seek construction of a convention and entertainment venue with a small casino has been set aside for now due to the Virginia General Assembly's failure to create a state gaming commission during this year's legislative session. Continue reading by clicking the link below. | | Deputy Director selected as mentor for Virginia Economic Developers Association Mentor Exchange Program | |  | Winchester EDA Deputy Director participates in Gov. Spanberger's Economic Development Policy Summit | | | Winchester EDA Board Member Dilton "Dee" Gibbs poses with EDA staff from left to right: Amanda Greenacre, Vanessa Santiago, and Sam Iden. Board member Gibbs served as a judge for the 10th Annual Widget Cup competition held on April 9, 2026 at James Wood High School. | | |
EDA Board member serves as judge for
The 10th Annual Widget Cup
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The Widget Cup returned for its 10th year on April 9th at James Wood High School, bringing together students from Winchester, Frederick County, and Clarke County public schools for a hands-on design-build competition supporting the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center. This year’s challenge tasked students with creating an enrichment center for small animals, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and real-world problem solving.
The Winchester Economic Development Authority was proud to support the event and workforce development efforts, including EDA Board Member Dilton "Dee" Gibbs serving as a competition judge and lending his professional experience and industry perspective to help inspire the next generation of skilled professionals and innovators.
| | Trex Company hosts WPS Work-Based Learning Program students | | |
The Trex Company recently welcomed students from Winchester Public Schools’ Work-Based Learning Program for an engaging, behind-the-scenes look at its innovative manufacturing operations in Winchester. The visit highlighted Trex’s industry-leading sustainability efforts, including repurposing millions of tons of recycled plastic each year to create its composite decking products.
This experience, made possible through collaboration with the Winchester EDA, offered students valuable real-world insight into advanced manufacturing and career pathways. As Trex approaches 30 years of manufacturing in 2026, its continued investment in both innovation and community partnerships underscores the important role local industry plays in developing the region’s future workforce.
Interested in hosting a work-based tour for students? Get in touch, we'd love to help set up a visit. Please send an email to: Econ.Dev@winchesterva.gov.
| | 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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May 19, 2026 Agenda
- The next EDA Board Meeting will occur on June 16, 2026
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