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Falls Church Business News & Notes

Virginia Employers: Get Reimbursed for Staff Bonuses

The Return to Earn initiative, launched in June, is an effort to assist small businesses and organizations in finding and retaining talent while also bringing the unemployed back into the workforce. There are basic eligibility requirements and the SkillSource Group, Inc. and Virginia Career Works Northern are available to make access to this program easy and the application, enrollment, and reimbursement process as simple as possible. The program encourages a $500 reimbursable bonus as helpful to retention and workplace morale for qualified businesses. To learn more, go to https://vcwnorthern.com/ return-to-earn.

Falls Church Cited as Model for Mixed-Use Community

The Fairfax County Planning Commission met in Tysons last week and cited downtown Falls Church, Merrifield’s Mosaic District and Reston Town Center as examples of mixed-use communities where people can live, shop, work, and play. This is what they’d like to see developers and governments pursue. Localities are reviewing congestion and safety to balance the needs of different road users, bikers, pedestrians, and drivers.

Plastic Bag Tax Approved

The Falls Church City Council approved a 5-cent plastic bag tax which begins April 1, 2022, at grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores. The tax won’t apply to a number of items like ice-cream, meat and dry cleaning that use bags. The ordinance is aimed to discourage the use of disposable bags.

Older Adults Invited to Sing

Encore Creativity, a nonprofit choral organization for adults over 55, is inviting Northern Virginia residents to register for in-person or online programs and get the opportunity to sing at local venues. They also manage the Sentimental Journey Singers, a choir for those with early Alzheimer’s or memory impairments and their care partners. The winter and spring sessions begin in January and are led by well-known local professional conductors. The mission is to make arts education and performance opportunities accessible for older adults regardless of ability and experience. Encore also offers Encore University for those looking for online programs for singing, music theory, dance and more. Visit www.encorecreativity.org, or call 301-261-5747 for more information.

FY2023 Virginia Commission for the Arts Grants are Open

Earlier this week, the VCA released the FY23 applications for General Operating Support and Project Grants, as well as the FY23 Guidelines for Funding. In addition, the list of Long/Short form applicants for returning grantees has been posted. Applications are available via Foundant (the online grant system). For a full list of grants, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and more, review the FY23 Guidelines for Funding at www.arts.virginia.gov/grants-guidelines. An application workshop is also available.

Clark Construction Pledge

Clark Construction Group announced its pledge to award $2.5 billion in subcontracts over the next decade to the graduates of its Strategic Partnership Program (SPP). This was announced at the launch of SPP ENCORE, Clark’s new continuing education program for the more than 1,200 small and diverse business owners and leaders who make up the SPP alumni network. The pledge and new SPP ENCORE programming is intended to foster inclusive growth within the construction industry.

 Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschcurchchamber.org. DECEMBER 23 - 29, 2021 | PAGE 19

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PAGE 20 | DECEMBER 23 - 29, 2021

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