Spending in the city and surrounding counties rose year over year in the first three months of 2026, according to a June 12 report from the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The report, based on Virginia Department of Taxation’s Local Option Sales Tax Data, found that the area brought in roughly $1.44 million more in retail sales tax revenue during Q1 of 2026 compared to Q1 of 2025—an 8.85 percent increase.
Some localities saw bigger sales spikes than others. Louisa had the largest increase at 19.24 percent, while Greene posted the smallest, a 4.24 percent hike. Charlottesville reported the second-highest relative increase in year-over-year local sales tax revenue, 13.28 percent, while Albemarle recorded a more middling 5.91 percent revenue boost.
“Despite a couple of late-winter storms impacting foot traffic, our retail members and their customers tell us they remain cautiously optimistic, even as they continue to navigate ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrea Copeland in the June 12 release. “While it’s too early to call these results a trend, it’s encouraging to see positive movement across the region.”
It’s a match!
Western Albemarle High School enjoyed another successful weekend on the court, with the boys tennis team bringing home its ninth consecutive state title.
The Warriors wrapped the spring season with a 14-2 team record on June 11, then went on to sweep the Class 3 boys singles and doubles brackets. Gage Sturman won the singles final at 9am on June 13, then headed right back to the court with doubles partner William Schundler to triumph in the doubles final at noon.—CR
Despite temperatures in the 90s, the Western Albemarle High School boys tennis team captured its ninth straight state tennis championship with a 5-0 sweep of Maggie Walker on Thursday, June 11.
