The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) and the City of Alexandria announced in October 2022 that eight Alexandria-based business associations would receive funding to help them build organizational capacity and grow their programs to support local businesses through the ALX B2B Business Association Grant Program.
A total of approximately $535,000 will be awarded to the following established and emerging organizations to better serve businesses in Alexandria.
• Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
• Alexandria Minority Business Association, Inc.
• Del Ray Business Association
• Eisenhower Avenue Public-Private Partnership
• Old Town Business Association
• Old Town North Alliance
• Social Responsibility Group
• West End Business Association (WEBA)
Business Associations are a vital link between individual businesses and the City and AEDP. Membership is entirely voluntary but is an amazing way for local businesses to network with other businesses located in their neighborhoods, and use their collective power to impact meaningful change. This funding also provides for the establishment of two organizations dedicated to minority-owned businesses, the Social Responsibility Group and the Alexandria Minority Business Association.
“This funding is an opportunity for emerging associations to jumpstart their capacity to begin serving businesses and for our most-established associations build on their growth and success,” said Senay Gebremedhin, AEDP economic recovery manager and program manager for the ALX B2B grants. “We look forward to growing the energy in Old Town and Del Ray, increased prominence and participation for Eisenhower, Old Town North, and West End, and to better serving our minority businesses with the help of the Social Responsibility Group and the Alexandria Minority Business Association.”
“Our business associations offer the opportunity to collaborate and coordinate for our businesses as they continue to recover from the challenges of the pandemic and potential future uncertainty. This program will give them the support they need to in turn support their member businesses and ensure that they and Alexandria continue not only to recover but to succeed well into the future,” said AEDP President and CEO Stephanie Landrum.
Grants were awarded to applications who applied in August 2022. Applicants requesting more than $50,000 have to provide a match of $1 for every $5 in grant funds awarded.
For questions about the grants or information on joining a business association, please email AEDP Economic Recovery Manager Senay Gebremedhin.