Central Virginia

Innovation flourishes in Central Virginia, home to Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia (UVA). Offering a vibrant business climate with a highly qualified workforce, the region creates a fertile environment for growth and expansion. 

Central Virginia Partnership

 

 

 

Beaver Creek Lake, Albemarle County

Key Companies in Central Virginia

Location

The James River forms the southern boundary of Central Virginia; Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive form the western boundary of this picturesque region. Central Virginia’s strategic location provides easy access to Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, and other points along the Mid-Atlantic corridor.

Rolls Royce UTC, University Of Virginia
Rolls Royce UTC, University Of Virginia

  • Interstate 64 runs directly through the region, easily connecting Central Virginia to destinations to the east and west.
  • Interstates 64 and 66 connect Central Virginia to Interstates 81 and 95 for access to north/south destinations.
  • U.S. Route 29 runs through most of the region, connecting to destinations from Florida to the Greater Washington, D.C., area.
  • Freight rail service is provided by CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, Buckingham Branch Railroad.
  • Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak, providing multiple daily trains to and from Washington, D.C., New York, and beyond.
  • The Virginia Inland Port at Front Royal is 30 miles north of Central Virginia, and The Port of Virginia in Hampton Roads is 90 miles east.
  • The Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Airport (CHO) provides direct, daily flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

It was very important to me to be able to keep WillowTree in Virginia. The region’s dynamic workforce and strong quality of life allow us to attract the best employees and support our mission of creating products people love.

Tobias Dengel CEO of WillowTree, Inc.
University Of Virginia
University Of Virginia

Talent Development in Central Virginia

Central Virginia’s ideal location and well-educated workforce combines with its exceptional quality of life to enhance both employee recruitment and retention. A robust higher education network, including University of Virginia, Germanna Community College, and Piedmont Community College, educates over 38,000 students each year and provides businesses access to workforce training, a pipeline of talent with advanced skills, and research and innovation. World-class medical and health care facilities are anchored by the UVA Health System, and the University’s Medical Center is a nationally renowned medical teaching facility that provides outstanding patient care and educates future health care leaders.

Living in Central Virginia

Central Virginia’s prime location along the eastern edge of the panoramic Blue Ridge Mountains encourages residents to take advantage of the region’s unspoiled natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Shenandoah National Park is located on the region’s western edge, and the James River, Appalachian Trail, and famed Skyline Drive are in close proximity.

Once home to three U.S. presidents, Central Virginia also offers many unique historic sites and attractions. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello was named one of the 2012 Wonders of the World in National Geographic Traveler, and UVA’s historic campus founded in 1819 is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Site of Conscience. Today, using the Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s extensive research and knowledge, staff members aim to facilitate conversations on a variety of topics including liberty, self-government, and the legacies of slavery.

Many restaurants feature local foods, beers, and wines and foster a supportive “localvore” ecosystem. Wine lovers will note that Central Virginia is home to more than two dozen wineries and hundreds of acres devoted to commercial vineyards, as well as a growing number of craft breweries.

Charlottesville Bike Mural
King Family Vineyards, Albemarle County
Rivanna Reservoir, Albemarle County