Fairfax City highlights grants, Flex Card and training to boost small businesses

Fairfax City officials and a series of local business owners presented a unified message about efforts to support small business growth in Old Town Fairfax and beyond. City economic-development presenters said post-pandemic lease changes and shifting customer patterns prompted new incentives and grant programs — including LIFT and FIG grants and facade/interior improvement awards — designed to attract businesses and help existing firms renovate and market themselves.

Business owners described how city grants translated into tangible improvements. A maker-space leader said a facade/interior grant paid for new flooring, lighting and an inviting layout and funded a mural; a boutique design firm and an artisan bakery owner said that visibility and street-level improvements helped draw customers. Main Street Bank described long-standing partnerships with city programs, including a 10-year connection to a Renaissance Housing rehabilitation grant and a new role in a tax-assistance program for residents.

The city also promoted the Fairfax City Flex Card, an e-gift card that keeps 100% of purchases local, and Upskill Fairfax City, a partnership with Northern Virginia Community College offering free tuition assistance for residents and employees seeking IT, health-care and other certifications. Presenters said the combined strategy — grants, local marketing tools, workforce training and regular events — aims to strengthen downtown foot traffic, help new entrepreneurs open and provide existing businesses with customers and talent.

City representatives and business speakers emphasized walkability, community ties and small grants as recurring advantages for locating in Fairfax City. No formal votes or policy changes were recorded during the presentations; speakers encouraged residents to learn about grant deadlines and program enrollment online.