The Charlottesville and Central Virginia Region is characterized by a number of large technology oriented companies such as GE Fanuc and Litton Marine Systems and a rapidly growing number of companies associated with e-commerce, information technology and health care. Well known as a university community surrounded by beautiful countryside settings in largely rural counties, this area of central Virginia has become the place of choice for a variety of other types of businesses that include light manufacturing and distribution, as well as customer and professional service firms. Seeking to diversify their local economic base and provide a broader range of employment opportunities for residents of the region, many area jurisdictions along with the University of Virginia have developed business and research parks. Both local governments and the University are open to creating the types of partnerships that could be beneficial to companies wishing to establish operations in this part of Virginia. Cities and counties are responsible for K-12 public education and whatever other local public services are provided by that particular jurisdiction.
Towns are part of counties.
An additional tax may be imposed on county residents who live within town boundaries to cover the cost of town services. Although towns are not responsible for public education, they may offer services in such areas as public safety, trash collection and public utilities. There are no other local taxing entities in Virginia. The real estate tax is the major source of local revenue followed by the personal property tax on vehicles and boats. Other local taxes on businesses and residents include taxes on utilities, machinery and tools, and for business and professional occupation licenses.