Fairfax City ReConnected – Reopening Fairfax City Businesses

Overview:

The Fairfax City Economic Development Authority (EDA) will be offering the Fairfax City ReConnected Grant (FCRG), in collaboration with the Fairfax City Economic Development Office (EDO), in order to provide essential financial support to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Grant funds will reimburse businesses for their costs incurred by responding to and adapting their services during the Commonwealth’s declaration of a State of Emergency. In accordance with Governor Northam’s “Forward Virginia” plan and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, grant monies can be used to cover eligible expenses incurred between March 12, 2020 and December 1, 2020

Download the application and apply for the ReConnected grant here.

For Fairfax City ReConnected Grant Guidelines, please click here.

Please reach out to ReConnectedGrant@fairfaxcityeda.org with questions.

For a list of common questions and answers, please click here.

Basic Eligibility:

Eligible Applicants:

• Must be located in Fairfax City with 30 or fewer full and full-time equivalent employees across all locations as of March 1, 2020
• Have and maintain a valid Fairfax City Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL)
• Have no outstanding tax obligations to Fairfax City or the Commonwealth
• Must have been in operation before March 1, 2019 and remain in the City of Fairfax through December 30, 2020
• Must be able to prove the business’ finances and/or operations were negatively impacted by COVID-19

Ineligible Applicants:

• Businesses that are permanently closed
• Non-profit organizations (excluding those that operate a for-profit component such as retail or food-services and employ at least 5 individuals)
• Businesses that are engaged, or have been engaged in, any illegal activities
• Nationally owned and operated corporate locations

Timeline:

June 30 at 5 pm – July 15 at 5 pm: Application Round 1 – Qualification

Interested businesses self-certify grant eligibility and provide supporting financial documentation

July 20 – July 27: Application Round 2 – Planning

Eligible businesses submit a budget justification of eligible expenses

July 28 – August 3: Notification of grant awards and contracting process begins. During this process, the recipient and FCRG program manager will build the scope of eligible expenses for grant agreements.

August: Businesses begin submitting payment request forms

September/October: Mid-grant check-in

December 1: Final payment request forms due

As we start to reopen our Fairfax City restaurants on May 29, the most important consideration is the health and safety of employees and customers.  Restaurants must exercise caution throughout the phases of reopening and adhere to manadtory requirements of the “Guidelines for All Business Sectors”.

For Phase I, restaurants should continue to offer takeout and delivery options.  If restaurants choose to open to dine-in customers, they may only do so in outdoor spaces at 50% of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy while maintaining a minimum of 6ft of physical distancing between all individuals.

To assist city restaurants that are looking to initiate or expand on outdoor dining, the Economic Development office is implementing “Fairfax City ReConnected  Outdoors” a permit program for a temporary and measured expansion of outdoor dining.  The Fairfax City  ReConnected  Outdoors program provides a permitting process that supports restaurant recovery; promotes public health; provides clear operational guidance; and creates confidence for employers, employees, and customers.

The guidance provided with Fairfax City Reconnected  Outdoors can be supplemented from other industry groups some of which are listed below.  Fairfax City Reconnected  Outdoors permits and guidance may be updated as conditions evolve.

As part of the Fairfax City ReConnected  program aimed at assisting businesses with reopening and staying safely opened, the Fairfax City Office of Economic Development has created the “Fairfax City ReConnected Pledge”  a voluntary program that allows businesses to signal to the community their dedication to COVID-19 safety.

The Fairfax City ReConnected Pledge helps patrons identify businesses that are implementing safety precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Businesses taking the pledge commit to COVID-19 practices by:

• Requiring the use of face coverings by employees and customers.
• Communicating safety protocols and training to managers and staff.
• Working only when healthy.
• Promoting social distancing and limiting capacity.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently.
• Adhering to specific business sector health and safety requirements by the Virginia Department of Health.

Businesses that take the pledge, will receive a Fairfax City “Let’s Get ReConnected” window cling to communicate to customers that your business is committed to maintaining safety measures and best practices concerning COVID-19.

Experience outdoor dining in Old Town Fairfax in a new street-side dining concept beginning on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at City Square!

City Square consists of two locations with a total of 6 outdoor seating areas along University Drive and Main Street.  Four of the outdoor dining areas are reserved for specific restaurants with the other two open to anyone who orders a takeaway meal from an Old Town Fairfax eatery.

Open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm daily throughout the summer, City Square will have tables that are appropriately spaced, timely removal of refuse, street-sweeping, and sanitization of surfaces.  To ensure the safety of patrons, staff, and the public at-large concrete barriers will be placed at head-on traffic locations and spaced throughout the interior to allow emergency services access if needed.

Free WiFi is also available while dining. The wireless network is named:  COF_Downtown_Guest

At City Square, you can dine-out, meet, and reconnect!  Learn more about City Square with our press release here.

The Virginia Department of Health has created Business Sector Guidelines to provide businesses with mandatory requirements to reopen as safely as possible.  Businesses shall adhere to these mandatory requirements to protect public health in Virginia.

Individual businesses should take additional measures as recommended by industry guidelines or by common sense applied to their particular situation.  These measures may be updated as needed.

Businesses that are open must adhere to physical distancing guidelines and enhanced safety practices.  Fairfax City has created business communication resources to address signage requirements by the Virginia Department of Health.

All resources are free to use.  We will continue to add to this page as new resources are developed.  Please check back often (signage to come).

To print signs, click on each thumbnail to open and then download the sign.