Fairfax City Honors Businesses Receiving Façade And Interior Improvement Grants

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City officials gathered Monday at Bonds Entertainment Center to recognize another group of local businesses receiving support through the city’s Façade and Interior Improvement Grant program.

The June 16 check presentation, hosted by Fairfax City Economic Development, was held at 3949 University Dr. The program, known as FIIG, provides financial assistance to new and existing city businesses by reimbursing 50 percent of project costs, up to $20,000.

The grant is intended to reduce costs connected to the design, repair and rehabilitation of buildings, as well as other high-quality improvements. Since 2023, Fairfax City Economic Development has invested more than $445,683 in 34 Fairfax City businesses through the program.

City Officials Tout Business Partnership

Mayor Catherine Read said the city invests in local businesses because officials want Fairfax City to be seen as a strong partner for business owners.

“This is what sets our city apart from other jurisdictions where all of these businesses could have chosen to establish their business,” Read said. “Our economic development team, our economic development authority, are very much invested in making this a place where you can come grow your business.”

Read said the grant program is built around matching the investment business owners are already making in their own properties.

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“We meet people halfway,” Read said. “This is a program where we match what businesses have also invested, and that is truly the definition of a partnership.”

The mayor said businesses can choose where to locate, and city officials do not take for granted those that choose Fairfax City, stay in the city or move to another location within city limits as they grow.

“People can choose to put their business anywhere, and the fact that we have businesses that come and stay for a long time, over a decade, and people who choose to move their business to another location within the city, that tells us that we are doing something right,” Read said.

Program Has Supported 34 Businesses

Colleen Kardasz, CEO and director of Fairfax City Economic Development, said the ceremony was meant to celebrate both local business owners and a city program designed to support them.

“It is hard work to own and operate a business,” Kardasz said. “It is a constant battle for customers or marketing or market placement, and if we can help fill some gaps, if we can help support our small businesses by making sure that their places are places that people want to come to, that is exactly the definition of economic development.”

Kardasz said the more than $445,000 invested through the program may not seem large in some contexts, but she said the effect on individual businesses is significant.

“The impact is unending,” she said.

Businesses listed as participating in the program include Nova Labs, Romp n’ Roll, eXurb Fitness, Bonds Escape Room, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Layered, Michael Bermel Optometry, Paradise Games and Gifts, East Wind Restaurant, El Pollo Rico, Gloria Pizzeria, Commonwealth Brewing, Andy’s Pizza, Okonomi Asian Grill and Disc Centers of America Fairfax.

Kardasz said Fairfax City Economic Development is budgeting to continue the program.

“We will continue to invest in our businesses, to invest in our spaces, and continue to make Fairfax City a destination of choice,” she said.

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