Business Appreciation Month Kicks Off Next Week

Every May, Prince William County's Department of Economic Development (PWCDED) celebrates Business Appreciation Month. The 2023 theme, Make Your Mark, highlights the grit, passion, and commitment demonstrated by our business community, making it a sought-after destination for entrepreneurs, corporations, and talented business leaders.

Stay tuned for select business visits with elected officials, and this year we will debut our first Make Your Mark Business Community Celebration on May 18. Registration is filling up fast, so grab your tickets soon. 

The MAGIC of National Small Business Week

For more than 50 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. This year’s celebration is April 30 to May 6, and there are plenty of programs available to help grow your business. 

The Management and Government Information Center (MAGIC), located at Chinn Park Library, offers specialized staff and resources to support community members, including local government agencies, area businesses, and nonprofits. MAGIC can help with starting or growing a business, retrieving industry information, seeking grant funding, and accessing laws and regulations. Join the following events:

• Monday, May 1 - Work Outside the Box with Libraries
• Tuesday, May 2 - Business Before Hours with MAGIC 
• Wednesday, May 3 - Value Proposition Design 
• Thursday, May 4 - Small Business Panel

Looking for more? SBA’s Virtual Summit, running from May 2 to May 3, is available online with registration. Webinars will be archived for future viewing. 

Make the Most of Your Mason SBDC 

Need some feedback on your business plan or your sales pipeline? Mason Small Business Development Center (Mason SBDC) is a part of the larger SBDC network funded by the SBA and local partners like PWCDED and George Mason University. 

In addition to ongoing workshops and resources for small business owners, Mason SBDC offers one-on-one counseling as a free service, providing our region's startups with the best opportunity to gain insight and direction for growth.

Mark Your Calendars All Year Long

If May is already too busy, expand your networking and stay informed about everything happening in Prince William County's entrepreneurial ecosystem by bookmarking the PWCDED Events Calendar. Keep tabs on our community partners:

• Serving Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and City of Manassas Park, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has resumed in-person events and maintains a robust events calendar.
• The Prince William chapter of 1 Million Cups holds its meetings at Centerfuse in the City of Manassas every Wednesday. Participants network from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m., followed by a presenter addressing a pertinent issue facing business owners.
• The life sciences and biotechnology community networking is thriving in Virginia. The Institute for Biohealth Innovation at George Mason University hosts NOVA Bio Hub events along with a variety of academic networking events.