Board of Supervisors approves two initiatives to assist small businesses
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors took two actions June 8 to support small businesses. The board authorized the licensing of a “Made in Fairfax” logo and approved a $25 million grant program to assist small businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Made in Fairfax initiative supports small-scale production and businesses by providing resources and networking opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Fairfax County revised its zoning laws in 2018 to encourage small-scale production as a way to use vacant office and commercial buildings and revitalize communities.
The board adopted a “Made in Fairfax” logo and authorized the Director of Planning and Development to sign licensing agreements allowing qualified businesses to use the logo on their marketing materials. The goal is to raise the visibility of locally made products.
The supervisors also agreed to pursue trademark registration of the logo with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Related story: Made in Fairfax offers holiday gifts made by local artisans
The new grant program, called PIVOT, will target businesses in food service, retail, amusements, arts organizations, historical sites, and lodging.
Those sectors were hardest hit by the pandemic. The Economic Recovery Framework report found the 48,200 jobs lost through December 2020 in Fairfax County were concentrated in food service, retail, and hospitality.
The application portal is expected to open on June 23 and will be available through July 7.
To be eligible, businesses must be located in Fairfax County and have a commercial storefront and a valid Business and Professional License. Grants will not be awarded to online-only or home-based businesses. Certain nonprofits will be eligible, too.
More details on grant amounts, eligibility criteria, and other requirements will be posted here. The county is hosting two webinars on the PIVOT program: June 15 at 1 p.m. in English (join on Zoom here) and June 17 at 2 p.m. in Spanish (join here).
Funds for PIVOT grants are from the federal American Rescue Plan; Fairfax County will receive $222 million over two years.
Probably gonna assist more Title One stores.
No help for the independent contractors who are not required to have a business/professional license. We too were hurt by the pandemic.