Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI)

Attendance Increases 56%  The Workhouse Arts Campus has announced a record-breaking year, with visitor numbers reaching an all-time high of approximately 166,000 in 2024 – a 56% increase over the previous year. This surge in visitation is attributed to the Workhouse's expanding offerings, including new attractions and ongoing programming that continues to draw diverse audiences from the region and beyond. A key highlight was the opening of Bunnyman Brewing Café at the Workhouse, which has become a popular destination and has contributed to boosted campus visits. The brewery joins a wide array of attractions and events that make the Workhouse Campus a vibrant cultural hub. The Workhouse Arts Campus is one of the largest arts centers in the region, spanning 55 acres. It hosts over 800 events, art classes, and activities annually, including more than 300 performances, exhibitions, and community events each year, enriching the cultural fabric of the region. Their resident artists and creators work across various art disciplines, including painting, ceramics, photography, glass, and fiber arts. The Workhouse also offers 10 unique event rental spaces and the art galleries and exhibition spaces, along with the Lorton Prison Museum   , featuring the only remaining cell block from the 3,500+ acre Lorton Reformatory complex. This increase in visitors has a substantial economic impact, supporting regional tourism and local businesses. The Workhouse Arts Campus continues to enrich the cultural fabric of the region, offering accessible arts experiences and fostering engagement for this vibrant Fairfax County community.

Forging a Resilient Economic Future The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the Department of Economic Initiatives (the Department or DEI) in 2019 to foster economic opportunity and growth. Over the past five years, the Department has played a vital role in supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses, advancing community-focused development, and driving efforts to diversify and strengthen the county’s economy.  The global pandemic struck shortly after the Department was established.  Rising to the challenge, DEI launched initiatives to direct $81 million in federal economic investments towards local small business and nonprofit organizations to help them respond, recovery and thrive.  Through strategic partnerships and a steadfast commitment to innovation and economic mobility, the Department continues to cultivate thriving communities and competitive businesses.  The Department celebrates the five-year mark and looks forward to navigating the future to help shape a vibrant, just and sustainable Fairfax County economy.   Core initiatives developed and administered by the Department of Economic Initiatives include: Fairfax Thrive - Building on pandemic recovery efforts, the THRIVE program fosters a resilient business ecosystem. Leveraging $3.5 million in ARPA funding, THRIVE has provided 183 small businesses with individualized technical assistance, delivering over 14,000 hours of expert coaching in key areas like marketing, finance, and operations. This targeted support, valued at up to $20,000 per business, equips local innovators with the tools and networks needed to adapt, grow, and contribute to a thriving Fairfax County economy. Fairfax Founders Fund -The Fairfax Founder Fund fuels local innovation and business growth.  The Fund provides up to $50,000 in grants to promising startups and connects them with other resources to help them scale. To date the Fairfax Founders Fund has awarded 13 innovation grants to startups across an array of high-growth sectors including cybersecurity, autonomous systems, life sciences, advanced energy, and more. Fairfax CORE (Connecting Opportunities and Resources for Entrepreneurs) - Fairfax CORE launched in March 2024 to provide a comprehensive online platform designed to empower entrepreneurs at all stages to start, grow and scale their businesses. It provides access to free and low-cost learning and networking opportunities, direct connection to more than 150 business support professionals and resources, and helpful business start-up and growth guides. The ‘From Fed to Founder’ page was added in March, 2025 to help former federal employees and contractors transfer their government experience into a thriving business. Talent Up Fairfax Fund  - Talent Up Fairfax addresses businesses critical hiring needs while equipping job seekers with experience and career opportunities in high-demand industries such as IT and healthcare.  Designed with employers at the center, Talent-Up offers businesses a cost-free, low-risk way to onboard new talent through paid work-based learning.  Talent Up has attracted 1,100 job seekers, engaged 250 employers and placed 157 job seekers in work-based internships.   PIVOT – A Pandemic Response - The PIVOT grant program delivered $16.8 million in vital funding to 1,016 local businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, providing essential capital for continued operations and recovery across key sectors including hospitality, food service, retail, and arts & culture. RISE Program (Relief Initiative to Support Employers) -The RISE Grant program played a crucial role in supporting the local business and nonprofit community during the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing $52.57 million in direct grants to over 4,800 organizations to help them maintain their operations through challenging times. Revolving Microloan Fund - The Department established an emergency Recovery Microloan Fund in April, 2020 to offer immediate capital to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Fund transitioned to a revolving fund in 2021 to provide loans of up to $30,000 to businesses, including home-based businesses.   Reston Station - The Department’s Catalytic Development Division was part of the team to facilitate d the public-private initiatives at Reston Station and manages county leases for the project.  A small piece of county-owned land, originally valued at $12 million, was transformed through strategic partnerships and planning into a major development. By 2024, Reston Station included a 2,300-space parking garage and was valued at $476.2 million. Between 2009 and 2024, the project generated $67.1 million in direct revenue for the County—$43 million from real estate taxes and $24.1 million from lease payments. It also spurred additional transit-oriented development nearby, creating a vibrant destination along the Metrorail Silver Line. Workhouse Arts Center Campus - The Department of Economic Initiatives has played an important role in the revitalization of the Workhouse Arts Campus by supporting renovations and strategically leasing spaces and managing leases to advance placemaking and financial goals. Since the County acquired the former correctional facility in 2002, it has worked to transform the site into a vibrant center for arts, culture, and local business. DEI’s efforts have sparked community engagement and economic activity, highlighted by the 2024 arrival of Bunnyman Brewing. Ongoing lease management continues to attract dynamic tenants, helping the campus thrive as a cultural destination and valued community asset. For additional details on DEI programs and successes, visit the Department of Economic Initiatives home page