Fairfax County Proclaims May 16-20 Small Business Week
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.fairfaxcountyeda.org), a recent Cambridge Wireless signup, has reiterated its support of small businesses – not only those whose home base is Virginia, but also the companies in the UK who might be considering expanding into the US.Those companies in Cambridge eyeing the US market would be well advised to take a close look at Fairfax County.
Citing the role that support organisations in the County play in the development of small businesses, the FCEDA’s President and CEO, Dr Gerald Gordon, explains: “We have chambers of commerce that advocate for small businesses around the county, but we also have a variety of organisations – some public and others private – that help businesses take the next step, but also encourage budding entrepreneurs to take the first step. That is why we’re going to continue having a healthy economy going forward.”
Fairfax County, he said, was an ideal entry point for British companies who were either currently actively planning to expand into the lucrative American marketplace, or who might be interested in exploring expansion opportunities.
Dr Gordon’s comments follow an announcement recently when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 16-20 as Small Business Week in the County in keeping with the celebration of 2011 National Small Business Week.
A resolution passed by the board noted that more than 90 per cent of all businesses in Fairfax County are small, that small businesses diverse in ethnic background and industry sectors create thousands of jobs in the county every year, and that dozens of organisations support the growth of small businesses throughout the county.
“Certainly we all see the headlines when another national corporation comes to Fairfax County, but what we don’t see often enough is the role of small businesses in our county,” said Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth. “We hope that this will remind people of the important role they play in our economy.”
The FCEDA has had a UK office since 1998. Located in the heart of London it serves as a resource for UK companies that are interested in expanding into the large US market and want to find the best location in which to do it. Members who would like to discuss how the FCEDA can help them start, expand or relocate their business in Fairfax County, are welcome to contact either Ross Clarke or David Wallen by telephone on 020 7930 5590, by e-mail to [email protected] or by writing to the Fairfax County Economic Development Office, 93 Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6JE.