February 13, 2023 Statement

Over the past several months, the City has worked to develop a grant program to meet the needs of our diverse small business community - an important foundation of Alexandria’s continued economic development.  A lawsuit challenging the BIPOC small business grant program was filed in federal court in January. Upon review of the lawsuit and the program, we have decided we will not launch the program as currently proposed. Instead, we will review options to use this funding to meet the needs of our diverse small business community in a more comprehensive and sustainable way, and look forward to launching a program that achieves that goal. Our City remains committed to serving all Alexandrians and focused on our responsibility to find equitable solutions to address the challenges they face. More details will become available on the new program over the coming months.

January 24, 2023 Statement

We are currently reviewing the details of a lawsuit challenging the BIPOC Small Business Grant Program. The suit was filed in Federal Court and details can be found through the PACER resource. As we evaluate the lawsuit, the Program will be put on hold. However, we want to reiterate the City is committed to serving all Alexandrians; we also remain focused on our responsibility to find equitable solutions that address the needs of our diverse small business community. We will provide more details about the status of the Program as we are able. Please send all inquiries to BIPOC@alexandriava.gov.

While many businesses have struggled and are still recovering in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, these hardships are particularly felt by Black, Indigenous and people of color (“BIPOC”) owned businesses due to structural barriers and discriminatory financial lending practices. 

Additionally, historically BIPOC-owned businesses are feeling increased displacement pressure as rents rise and neighborhoods change. The Alexandria BIPOC Small Business Program is a resulting initiative that aims to retain and grow existing businesses, recruit new businesses and/or assist with start-up activities. 

A key theme that emerged from the outreach with local BIPOC-owned business or BIPOC individuals who would like to start a business was the need for meaningful access. The City will address this key theme of access in three focus areas: 

1. Network that Builds Capacity
2. Providing Accessible Resources
3. Lowering Barriers to Capital

Network that Builds Capacity

The City and its partners provide support for businesses to convene and share information:

• Business associations (geographic and demographic) grants and sustainability support provided through Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) allows groups to host ongoing networking events
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) educational programming, workshops and trainings
• City department-hosted events (e.g. Job Fairs for employers, Code training, recurring listening and information sessions)

Similar to other jurisdictions, there is local interest for a potential incubator and/or accelerator that could provide technical assistance and mentorship to support a cohort of new, early-stage BIPOC-owned businesses with start-up activities and/or established BIPOC-owned businesses to expand and grow. The City is working on procuring a capable partner with experience establishing such a program.

Providing Accessible Resources

The City and partner organizations currently offer resources, a few of which highlighted below are well suited to meet the needs of BIPOC small-business owners:

• Small Business Facilitator to navigate City’s Code and land use process
• Businesses facing staffing issues can take advantage of the City’s Workforce Development Center (WDC)’s ability to subsidize work-based learning (WBL) and other business services like recruitment, labor market services, incentives, and training opportunities.
• Various SBDC services including one-on-one counseling, providing connections to regional and state programs, assistance with applying for Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certifications/designations, identifying commercial real estate options (for those seeking space) working with AEDP
• Leverage City Purchasing to register businesses as SWaM and participate in vendor forums.
• Business promotion, direct sales representation and access to marketing research available through membership in Visit Alexandria (*membership cost).

Lowering Barriers to Capital

The City and its partners will continue working with financing stakeholders on improving capital access and addressing hurdles faced by local BIPOC-owned business.

• In the near term, the City will launch a grant program focused on BIPOC small businesses that enable the City to retain and grow existing businesses, and/or assist with start-up activities. Additional details coming soon.
• Small Business Development Center provides free assistance in preparation of documents for businesses and introductions to financing partners for bank loans and financing available through the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA).

• City Permit Center 
• Department of Planning & Zoning 
• Department of Transportation & Environmental Services 
• Health Department 
• Finance Department 
• Alexandria Small Business Development Center  
• Alexandria Economic Development Partnership 
• Visit Alexandria
• Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 

For questions about the City’s BIPOC Small Business Program, please email BIPOC@alexandriava.gov.  

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