Contact:

Jody Keenan, Managing Director

Mason Enterprise Center

703.277.7727

Mason Enterprise Center Poised to Support Business Growth at Fully-Renovated Fairfax Facility

An event to launch the facility will take place on November 14, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at 4031 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

Fairfax, VA, October 17, 2012 – After 17 years of service supporting business innovation and growth, the Mason Enterprise Center’s (MEC) Fairfax location, MECFairfax, is pleased to welcome business owners and entrepreneurs to join them as they open the doors to their newly renovated facility. As a small business incubator and accelerator program, MECFairfax offers office space, administrative support, expert consultation and training to help businesses achieve maximum success.

Guests attending the event will have the opportunity to explore the fully-redesigned and expanded facility while sampling dishes from local Fairfax restaurateurs. Attendees will be awarded door prizes throughout the evening as they network and learn about the wide array of services and programs the MECFairfax has to offer, including one-on-one business counseling, training and network development.    

The event will feature guest speakers, including City of Fairfax Mayor, Scott Silverthorne. “I am delighted to be a part of the grand opening because I have witnessed the positive impact the MECFairfax makes on the region. The re-designed Fairfax facility, which is sponsored in part by the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority, provides business owners with important resources to support their growth and success which in turn strengthens the economy,” Silverthorne said.

Renovations began in May and consisted of the addition of many modern and efficient conveniences to the 29,000+ square foot facility’s 11 conference rooms, 79 offices and multiple café and break areas. Today, shades of Tuscany abound in the Center’s café and reception area giving a warm, inviting feeling to guests. Cappuccino machines adorn break areas while multiple printing/copy stations are found on each level of the four-story facility. Each workspace and office consists of new carpet, paint, lighting and sidelights.  All conference rooms, are equipped with LCD monitors. The main conference room, located on the first floor, doubled in size and now accommodates up to 50 people.

While changes to the facility are vast, the MECFairfax commitment to emerging businesses has not wavered. “Our primary goal is to support the needs of growing companies. We provide the tools, insights and infrastructure businesses need to succeed in the ever-changing and competitive marketplace,” expressed Keith Segerson, Executive Director of the MEC.

To date, more than 300 companies have been supported by the MECFairfax incubation program. The updated facility will provide a new generation with the modern conveniences they covet with a suite of services to meet their growing needs.

About the Mason Enterprise Center Network (MEC)

The Mason Enterprise Center of George Mason University is an integrated network of programs and resources that help clients start, build and grow successful businesses.  Through our University-based expertise and proven marketplace experience, we help thousands of businesses achieve their goals while positively impacting local economies. Specializing in the areas of small business services, government contracting, international business, entrepreneurship, technology ventures, and telework initiatives, the MEC offers a unique combination of programs and services. The MEC has six regional locations including Fairfax, Leesburg, Manassas, Spotsylvania, Springfield and Woodbridge. For more information, visit www.masonenterprisecenter.org.

About MECFairfax

The MECFairfax is a small business incubator and accelerator program offering office space, training, networking and expertise to help businesses launch, innovate and grow. Located in Old Town Fairfax, MECFairfax provides access to business advisors as well as all of the quality support and training programs offered through the Mason Enterprise Center network (MEC). MECFairfax is sponsored by the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority.

About the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority (EDA)

The primary purpose of the EDA, in conjunction with the City Council, is to foster and stimulate economic development and redevelopment within the City of Fairfax, Virginia. To carry out this purpose, the EDA will support bond financing for projects within its powers as granted by the Virginia General Assembly and work with the City’s Economic Development Office (EDO) to advance business recruiting and expansion efforts. Further, the EDA and EDO will facilitate small business improvement and incubation, as well as promote an active dialogue within the business community, all in partnership with area business and educational resources.

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