Don’t Turn Your Backs On Small Businesses

Dear Editor:

As a Loudoun based business owner, I’ve seen significantly less flex and light industrial space in our county. The short supply is concerning since this is exactly the kind of space that small and mid-sized businesses need to offer their services and grow.

Right now, the county has a 1% vacancy rate for this type of space, making it very difficult for startup businesses and others. In addition, the exceptionally tight market for flex space has driven up costs, making it not only hard to find but hard to afford.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve been watching the proceedings surrounding the Valley Commerce Center. It seems out of touch for our local community to not support having more flex space.

Your neighbors who own businesses have fewer places to hang their shingles so they can provide the services you need to paint your house, fix your plumbing or AC, install your tv, tutor your kids, and clean your home.

Without a place to do business, they will exit the county—both their business and possibly them as well, leaving all of us with fewer services and a smaller tax base.

I enjoy living and working here and would welcome the Valley Commerce Center outside of Purcellville as well as other local flex space options.

Small businesses have always been the backbone of communities. Turning our backs on them is short-sighted.

Keith Mainland
Purcellville