Services for Small, Minority, and Woman-Owned Firms

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority provides specialized assistance to small, minority and women-owned firms seeking to move into Fairfax County or expand an existing county business. The Small and Minority Business Program provides individualized one-on-one assistance to businesses by:

• Identifying possible Fairfax County sites or offices;
• Providing information and identifying resources for small and minority-owned businesses and start-ups such as the Minority Supplier Development Council;
• Serving as a liaison with the planning and development agencies of the Fairfax County government;
• Providing current demographic and economic information; and
• Conducting seminars, including "Entrepreneurship 101" and "Exporting 101."

The division serves as a clearinghouse for state and local information as well as producing Business Ventures, a quarterly newsletter.

The FCEDA also provides business counseling services through an arrangement with the SCORE, a U.S. Small Business Administration initiative. A SCORE counselor is available every Wednesday and Thursday at the FCEDA office in Tysons Corner by appointment only. To sign-up for a session, visit the SCORE page.

Interested in opening a business in Fairfax County?

• Attend one of our monthly seminars - Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County;"
• Visit the Starting a Business in Fairfax County page.
• Visit the FAQ section on Starting a Business.
• Download a copy of Doing Business in Fairfax County.
• Contact Karen Smaw, director of the FCEDA's Small and Minority Business Program.