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Fairfax County, Virginia –The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) launched its National Small Business Week activities today by highlighting federal data showing that 94 percent of Fairfax County business establishments have 50 or fewer employees, and that these companies employ more than 200,000 inFairfax County. That is one-third of all the jobs in the county.

“Fairfax County is known for its Fortune 500 headquarters but this is a great opportunity to recognize the importance ofsmall businesses to the county economy,” said Catherine W. Riley, interim president and CEO of the FCEDA. “We also know that minority-, woman- and veteran-owned companies are a substantial portion of our small business community, and we value the diversity that they bring to thecommunity.”

On Wednesday, May 8, the FCEDA will celebrate National Small Business Week with “Build It With #FairfaxEDA,” a workshop designed to support entrepreneurs and those building small businesses in Fairfax County. The event will feature a keynote address from nationally known financial advisor Ric Edelman. Media can find more information and registration details here.

Event themes include:

• How to start a business in Fairfax County;
• Planning and executing business best practices, including financial planning, human resource management, technology solutions and marketing and branding;
• An overview of the local entrepreneur ecosystem; and
• How to locate and provide resources for growing a company.

In addition to Edelman, program speakers include:

• Antonio Doss, District Director, SBA, Washington, D.C. Area Metropolitan District Office;
• Karlene Sinclair Robinson, Assistant Director, Business Finance Center, Community Business Partnership;
• Jen Dalton, CEO, Brand Mirror;
• Rosemarie Savino, COO, Gravatate; and
• Talmar Anderson, CEO, Boss Actions.

“The FCEDA has been helping small businesses reach their potential for more than 60 years, and we are proud to continue supporting entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools such as this event that they need to launch and sustain a thriving company,” Riley said.

On Tuesday, May 7, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to pass a proclamation declaring May 5-11 to be Small Business Week in Fairfax County. In addition, the FCEDA will post special content about small businesses on its social channels during the week.

Business growth and innovation help Fairfax County fund the nation’s top-rated school system and other public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a vibrant investment capital community and a highly skilled, well-educated workforce.

The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.