The Stafford County Economic Development Authority was first established June 10, 1970. The EDA provides capital to new and existing businesses through a portfolio of financing programs, incentives, and initiatives.
Stafford County leverages the Stafford Economic Development Authority to assist in business expansion and growth efforts in Stafford, Virginia. The EDA fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem through training seminars, networking opportunities, grants, and small business financing programs to foster new business investment.
Stafford County Facts, Data & Figures
Meet the Team behind Stafford EDA
Joel Griffin, Rockhill District
Joel Griffin is a Marine Veteran and successful business leader with 25-years of private industry consulting experience and 20-years in government contracting. Griffin has been an EDA member since 2009, serving as the Chairman since 2015 with a commitment to supporting economic growth and wellbeing of the region. Chairman Griffin co-founded the Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and education of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). He is also the owner of JG Financial Group, an investment portfolio company for new ventures in private equity/venture capital and in the hospitality industry.
Donald Newlin, George Washington District
Donald Newlin has served on the Economic Development Authority since 1976 and has called Stafford home since 1969. Newlin is a financial advisor with over 50 years in the brokerage business. He has a history of community involvement serving on various boards for Mary Washington Healthcare, The Salvation Army, Rappahannock Valley Football, and a founding member of the Rappahannock YMCA. Newlin continues to serve on the EDA with special interest in effective economic growth to lessen the tax burden on Stafford residents and homeowners.
Howard Owen, Falmouth District
Howard Owen has been a member of the Stafford County community since 1987 when he located to Falmouth and started his own business, Stafford Printing. Board Member Owen has been the Falmouth representative on the EDA for sine 2017 and currently serves as treasurer. His goal on the EDA is to promote economic development that takes into the consideration the needs and wants of county residents. Board Member Owen, 1978 graduate of Emory & Henry College in Southwest Virginia, is also a member of the Stafford Hospital Foundation and active in an HP global digital printing cooperative. Howard is married and the proud father! The family enjoys vacationing at Cape Cod and visiting Yellowstone National Park. He’s also an avid Alabama football fan.
Danielle Davis, Aquia District
Board member Davis has resided in Stafford for over 25 years, and has served as an EDA member since 2018. Danielle is the owner and founder of a business consulting firm with a prior career as a Senior Financial Analyst. She serves as an EDA member to support the development of Stafford’s identity while maintaining a healthy balance between residential and business growth. Danielle is an active business community leader serving on local and state boards, including eight years on a Governors Citizens Advisory Board for DPOR, and served on the Stafford County Telecommunications Commission for eight years one of which as the chair. Danielle is a proud military wife and mother to four boys, and is an avid writer and blogger.
Heather Hagerman, Garrisonville District
Heather Hagerman is a local real estate broker with 20+ years of knowledge and experience in commercial property and development. Board Member Hagerman has served on the EDA since 2016 with special interest in supporting Stafford business growth through new business development and business relocation to the region. Ms. Hagerman is a local activist and supporter serving on boards and as a member of the following: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Fredericksburg, the SPCA and Truist.
Marlon Wilson, Griffis-Widewater District
Board Member Wilson is a business executive in the technology industry at a Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned Information Technology firm. With over 25 years of experience in program management, government contracting, and business acquisitions and development, this United States Army Veteran also serves as a local Minister. Wilson has served on the EDA since 2020 with interest in making smart and innovative decisions for the future economic development for Stafford while maintaining a family-oriented environment.
Jack Rowley, Hartwood District
Board member since 2001, Jack is a local philanthropist with involvement in real estate development management. Jack serves on a number of local boards and organizations including the Vice Chair for the Mary Washington Healthcare Board of Trustees, and the President of Germanna Community College Real Estate Foundation. He has served as a Rappahannock United Way Director for 18 years, past Director for Rappahannock Community Services Board, and is active with the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club. He has a J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore with decades of executive leadership experience in the paper industry. Jack serves on the EDA with special interest in business development and growing the Stafford County economy. He enjoys spending time with family and working with his classic car collection.
Charles Payne, Jr., Counsel
Charles Payne is a native of the Fredericksburg area, and prides himself on the business development services he provides to the region. Mr. Payne has served as the counsel for the Economic Development Authority for over 15 years with interest in supporting the County’s economic goals to ensure sustainable, long term prosperity for the region. His practice areas of law include corporate and general business law, zoning and land use, commercial real estate, and federal and state government relations.
John Holden, EDA Secretary
John Holden is the Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Stafford County. John joined Stafford County team in May 2018 after spending 25 years in Maine. His experience encompassed community and economic development; tourism development and marketing; and international business development and attraction. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in regional economics from the University of Maine. He enjoys cooking and golf.
2021 Meeting Calendar
Agendas & Minutes
The EDA provides the Stafford business Community with financial support and opportunities to grow and develop their businesses.
MICRO LOAN FUND
The Micro-Loan Program provides low-cost, short-term financing aimed to meet the growth opportunities and immediate needs of new and existing businesses.
Eligible businesses include though are not limited to retail businesses, service enterprises, small batch manufacturing firms, makers, and advanced technology businesses. Businesses must be registered and current with Stafford County
COVID-19 LOAN FUND
Small businesses continue to face unknown and unprecedented uncertainty as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Stafford County Economic Development Authority (EDA) is offering a special Coronavirus Micro-Loan Program to assist Stafford businesses during these extraordinary times. This program is designed to provide low-cost, short-term financing aimed to meet the immediate needs of businesses suffering substantial economic impact as a result of the pandemic.
BUSINESS GROWTH LOAN
The Business Growth Fund provides market-rate gap financing to businesses for commercial real estate development; furniture, fixtures, & equipment; inventory; and working capital.
Eligible businesses include commercial real estate development companies, non-profit organizations, non-profit CDCs engaged in real estate development projects, commercial and industrial businesses, wholesale, retail, service enterprises, advanced technology companies, and manufacturing firms. Businesses must be registered and current with Stafford County.
VIRTUAL PROGRAM
FEB 16th, 23rd, and MARCH 2nd.
VETERANS BUSINESS BOOTCAMP – start your business today!
This bootcamp designed for Veterans and spouses will provide an introduction and helpful details on starting and succeeding
as an entrepreneur. You will be led through these educational sessions by Veteran Entrepreneurs and local business
executives over three consecutive weeks on Tuesdays, February 16th, 23rd, and March 2nd from 9-11 AM.
The Stafford County Economic Development Authority is pleased to sponsor these workshops as part of their mission to
create and foster business growth in Stafford.
The Veterans Business Bootcamp Workshop is a series of virtual workshops instituted by the University Of Mary Washington
Center for Economic Development and the Stafford County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
VIRTUAL PROGRAM:
March 3rd – May 5th, Wednesday, 6-8:30pm
TWO Saturday classes: 3/06 and 5/01 from 9am – 5pm
AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR CAREER.
CISSP is a strategic investment in your career. The Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP) certification is a must-have certification for higher level cybersecurity work for the Department of Defense, intelligence community, private industry, and many other
government agencies.
Regional support and grant funding from GO Virginia make CISSP certification prep at the University of Mary Washington more affordable than other options outside of the region. Ask your employer if they are willing to help defray the costs of the exam and preparation course.
Program Price & Financial Support:
Program Price: $2,250 (includes books, in-person, or virtual option)
*Course Fee Assistance up to $900
*Corporate and Organizational Bundles are available for five or more participants from the same company
VIRTUAL PROGRAM:
March 16th at 8:30 AM
Via Zoom
LEARN FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
It is more critical than ever for main street businesses to adapt to emerging technologies in order to reach and understand their customers. Local leaders and organizations want to support you in your efforts, but need your input!
Entrepreneurs and business owners of the Fredericksburg Region – tune in to hear from stories from your neighbors and peers about how technology has changed the way they do business.
Don’t miss this opportunity to lend your voice to the conversation that will help shape tech and entrepreneurship initiatives in your community.
Annual Review 2020
HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF EVENTS
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COVID-19 Small Business Relief
2020: Provided financial support for small businesses and nonprofits in COVID-19 relief through a total of $1,742,672 in grant funding.
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Broadband Expansion
2020: Supported Stafford County’s efforts to expand broadband to underserved areas by providing $50,000 in cash match to a grant that expanded broadband to 750 houses in Stafford and acted as the conduit for additional projects that contributed over $200,000 towards broadband expansion to hundreds of more residences.
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Awarded Grant Funds for Entrepreneurial Development
2020: The EDA was awarded a $75,000 grant from GO Virginia to support entrepreneurial development in Stafford County.
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Germanna Community College Expansion
2020: EDA fulfilled a pledge to support the expansion of Germanna Community College Stafford County campus. The EDA has committed $750,000 for Germanna Expansion at the Barbara Fried Center in Stafford.
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Loan Programs
2019: The EDA launched business financing loan programs for small and expanding businesses in Stafford.
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Veterans Entrepreneurial Development Program
2016: The EDA launched the first Stafford County Veterans focused entrepreneurial development program, This program is designed to support business education and development for the military community, and to grow veteran owned businesses in Stafford.
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Welcome Stafford Hospital
2009: The EDA was a strong advocate and supporter for the development of Stafford Hospital and assisted the hospital with tax exempt funding which was a benefit to the community and Mary Washington Healthcare.
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Emergency Communication Equipment Bond
2002: In response to the Beltway Sniper attacks in October of 2002, the EDA provided a bond for the purchase of a 23 million dollar Emergency Responders Communication Equipment System which allowed Stafford County Police and other emergency services to correspond with surrounding counties and communities in times of crisis.
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Business Appreciation
1993: The first Business Appreciation Reception for Stafford County businesses and employees.
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Welcome Stafford's First Distribution Center
1973: The Economic Development Authority welcomes Southland Distribution Center.