I really enjoyed the business community debate last night. Alexandria has come a long way to repair its reputation as one of the hardest places to do business in the region.
Three years ago, I initiated a program to review our small business policies. That effort was followed by the Mayor’s Economic Sustainability Task Force which led to simplified business procedures, a new code administration office and one-stop processing center, the work in old town to take the best possible advantage of National Harbor tourists (the trolley, new signs, new marketing efforts), the passing of the Landmark and Braddock plans, a new transportation master plan that includes a Potomac Yard metro, new efforts to streamline and simplify signage for businesses and much more. We’ve had a busy three years and there is a lot more to do.
I’ve always worked hard to help Alexandria’s business community thrive so that Alexandria is truly a great place to live, work and raise a family. I think its important to strike a clear balance between business needs and neighborhood needs. I think you do that by setting clear priorities and goals, being consistent in how you administer them and being predictable for both neighbors and businesses about what can and can’t be done and how it should be done.
Tags: Business, economy, small business
