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 as a result of COVID-19 beginning on March 12, 2020.

Series 1: The application period is closed as of July 29, 2020. For more information about Series 1, please click here. 

Series 2: Applications will be available in October 2020!

For more information about new business resources, please subscribe to our Business Bulletin here.

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

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.

The COVID-19 Business Chat Series was created share best practices among city businesses and communicate to the public that our businesses are proactive and taking health and safety measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Each video is 10-15 minutes long and highlights various business sectors.  If your business has pivoted and you would like to share your story, email us at EDAInformation@fairfaxcityeda.org.

Businesses currently featured on the COVID-19 Business Chat Series include:

• Dolce Vita
• Title Boxing Club
• WT Clothiers
• DC DanceSport Academy
• Tiny Dancers
• Weber’s Pet Supermarket
• Cinema Arts Theatre
• Duck Donuts
• Kaizen MMA
• The Wine House