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Economic Development and Tourism

Karen Hedelt, Director
706 Caroline Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Office Phone: (540) 372-1216

Office Hours: M-F, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Visitor Center: (540) 373-1776 or (800) 678-4748
Visitor Center Hours: Daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

E-mail Ms. Hedelt

The mission of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism is to promote business development throughout all areas and aspects of the city and its economy. Tourism marketing for the city is a special focus. EDT is a source of information on the city’s tourism, technology and HUB zones, incentives and grants, the work and business support programs of the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, other sources of business development support in the region, and information and referrals on requirements for opening a business in the City of Fredericksburg.

To read the current and back issues of the quarterly Economic Development and Tourism E-Newsletter and to join our mailing list, please CLICK HERE.

Fredericksburg Main Street Exploratory Committee Work Underway

Over six months of study, meetings and discussions with businesses and property owners completed in 2011, the Main Street Exploratory Committee appointed by the EDA concluded that there is broad and strong support for establishing a Fredericksburg Main Street organization to lead the way in improving our downtown commercial district. Click HERE for the Exploratory Committee’s web page. A Main Street Formation Committee is now at work to recruit a broad-based board of directors. Click HERE to read the formation committee’s December 8, 2011 letter.

New E-Commerce Business Assistance Matching Grants Program

To learn more about the Economic Development Authority’s new 50/50 e-Commerce Matching Grants program to benefit existing small businesses and non-profit organizations with improved websites, click HERE.

Economic Development Authority JumpStart! Grants and Façade Matching Grants Deadline is March 1, 2012

Businesses, arts organizations, not-for-profit organizations and event sponsors are encouraged to discuss their projects with the Economic Development and Tourism Department, please contact Richard Tremblay (E-mail Mr. Tremblay) or Amy Peregoy (E-mail Ms. Peregoy) or call (540) 372-1216.

To view the JumpStart! Grant guidelines and application please click HERE.

To view the Façade Matching Grants criteria and application please click HERE.

2012 Upcoming Economic Development Meetings

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism seeks to meet and share a regular dialogue with the business community and property owners. Meetings will inform attendees of city plans and initiatives. The groups share development plans, updates, ideas and suggestions. Everyone who participates can find information or programs that will benefit their businesses and continue a relationship with our department.

The series of semi-annual or quarterly meetings include: Route 1 Corridor, Princess Anne Street Corridor, Battlefield Industrial Park businesses and property owners; Commercial Sales~Leasing Agents and Property Managers and HUBZone businesses.

Each meeting provides valuable networking opportunities and features guest speakers.

Route 1 Corridor Businesses and Property Owners Meeting

Route 1 forms the City’s spine. Semi-annual meetings inform property owners, business operators and other stakeholders about economic development activities and plans in the corridor and provides for the exchange of ideas and information about improving the economic vitality of the corridor.

Princess Anne Street Corridor Businesses and Property Owners Meeting

Princess Anne Street is prime for new investment and business development. The City has an important role in the revitalization process which includes zoning, streetscape improvements, business incentives, EDA façade improvement grants, substantial rehabilitation tax credits, and other potential economic development tools. These meetings are semi-annual.

Commercial Sales~Leasing Agents and Property Managers Meetings

By attending our quarterly breakfast meeting you will be updated on the current and future economic development plans and programs. These meetings provide a forum for updating your professional peers on your new and existing projects and give you the opportunity to meet new members of brokerages and property management companies.

Battlefield Industrial Park Businesses and Property Owners Meeting

As a new edition to our meetings schedule, businesses and property owners in the Battlefield Industrial Park will be informed about city economic development activities and resources and to open up a dialogue about development, redevelopment and business expansion/retention in the park.

HUBZone Businesses Meeting

Learn about HUBZone certification, where businesses can get preference on competitive and sole source federal contracts.

Currently certified HUBZone businesses in Fredericksburg, those interested in becoming certified or simply learning more about this valuable federal contracting program for small businesses are welcome to attend. We will also present city business incentives and other economic development resources that can assist qualifying, expanding or new HUBZone businesses in the City.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for future meetings, please call Amy Peregoy at (540) 372-1216 or E-mail Ms. Peregoy.

To view a complete schedule of the above meetings, please click HERE.

New Tourist Publication Focuses on the Civil War Sesquicentennial

A new quarterly brochure for the Civil War Sesquicentennial is now being published by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. This publication is a partnership between the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park, the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center and EDT. It is designed to highlight the array of new events and programming in the City of Fredericksburg during these important years of commemoration and in support of city businesses and attractions.

The newsletter will be distributed at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, the FAMCC and the Battlefield Visitor Center as well as being used in group packets and at visitor services booths for various conventions and meetings. The first edition is available HERE.

Fredericksburg Roundtable

The City of Fredericksburg has partnered with the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce to host a Fredericksburg Roundtable for City Chamber members. The Roundtable features a guest speaker each month and provides attendees an opportunity to network with fellow City businesses. The Roundtable meets the first Tuesday of each month. For more information about attending or sponsoring a meeting, please contact the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce at (540)373-9400. To view the meeting dates, please click HERE.