Article by: Sam Whitehead
Earlier this year CEDA was approached by Fairfax to conduct a Business Retention and Expansion Survey. One of the recommendations CEDA had for the city was to start a ‘shop local’ campaign. The Fairfax EDA seized the opportunity and created just such a program. The first iteration of the campaign saw that if an individual spent $50 or more in a local shop, their name would be entered into a monthly drawing. On the first Thursday of every month, at the Fairfax EDA meeting, a name would be pulled out of the entries and the winner would be given a $50 gift certificate for use at any of the participating businesses in town. The program has been very successful and the Fairfax EDA recently voted to tailor the program to see even more use. Without a doubt, the Fairfax EDA is helping to keep small businesses strong.
