| Local government | City of Norfolk, an independent city with its own Commissioner of the Revenue |
|---|---|
| Business corridors | Downtown, Ghent, the Military Highway corridor and the areas around the base and the port |
| Companies we hear from | Defense contractors, ship repair shops, freight firms, restaurants and medical groups |
Buyers Follow the Fleet and the Port
A large share of Norfolk companies serve the Navy, the shipyards or the terminals. Buyers for those firms often come from outside the region, since national contractors want a foothold close to the fleet.
See finding a buyer for your government services contractor and finding a buyer for your ship repair subcontractor.
Restaurants and Neighborhood Shops
Ghent, downtown and the areas near Old Dominion University support restaurants and retailers with loyal local customers. These usually sell to buyers who live nearby or already run a similar spot.
The Virginia ABC license page covers the alcohol license step.
Keep the Talks Quiet
Norfolk is a city where people in the same trade tend to know each other. Word that a company is for sale can unsettle staff and customers. A broker markets the company without naming it and screens buyers before they learn who you are.
Local Paperwork
Norfolk runs its own business license and business property tax through its Commissioner of the Revenue. Ask that office how a sale is handled, just as a Virginia Beach owner would ask the Virginia Beach office.
Talk to a Broker
An early conversation shows where your company stands before buyers start calling. Request a sale estimate for a private range.