Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) is a 501(c)6 public-private partnership that promotes the City of Alexandria as a premier location for businesses of all sizes, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and cutting-edge institutions of science and learning. AEDP promotes Alexandria by showcasing the transportation capabilities, workforce, location, scale, and livability to help grow Alexandria.

Visit Alexandria

Visit Alexandria is a vibrant, growing membership organization that prides itself on strong ties to the Alexandria business and tourism communities. Visit Alexandria has more than 300 members, and they welcome Alexandria businesses and organizations with an interest in tourism. Membership benefits include web page(s) on the VisitAlexandriaVA.com website, customized electronic marketing, listings in official Visit Alexandria publications including the official Visitors Guide for the City of Alexandria, access to exclusive advertising and direct sales, promotion at the Alexandria Visitors Center, and education and networking opportunities.

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization dedicated to the advocacy of business interests. In late 1906, a group of Alexandria’s business leaders came together with the idea of forming an organization to assure business standards, to work toward better business conditions and to serve as an active voice in framing public policies affecting the business community.

There have been many changes over the years, but the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s concept and mission has remained unchanged: to provide a voice for those engaged in business and to serve as a catalyst for registering and mobilizing business opinion for the betterment of the community.

Business Associations

Business Associations are an important part of the business community in Alexandria. Each business association is made up of business owners from a particular area. The SBDC hosts regular meetings of all of the business associations at our office.

• Arlandria-Chirilagua Business Association
• Del Ray Business Association
• Old Town Business and Professional Association
• Carlyle Community Council
• Eisenhower Partnership
• West End Business Association

Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government that aids, counsels, assists and protects the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA recognizes that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America’s future, and to helping the United States compete in today’s global marketplace. The SBA website has a wealth of information on a variety of topics that are pertinent to small businesses.