Leesburg Plans ‘Match-making’ Event for HUBZone

A portion of the Town of Leesburg falls within an area called a HUBZone – a federal designation that stands for Historically Underutilized Business Zone – and a “match-making” event next week aims to connect businesses with potential employees within the HUBZone, and educate business owners interested in moving into the zone.

The event, which runs from noon to 3 p.m. June 4 at the Hampton In on Fort Evans Road NE in Leesburg.

The Small Business Administration developed the HUBZone program to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas. Earlier this year, the SBA designated the area roughly bounded by King Street, the W&OD Trail, the Route 15 Bypass and Edwards Ferry Road as a HUBZone.

“This event is a great opportunity for Leesburg’s HUBZone residents to meet employers who are looking specifically to fill jobs in the very near future,” said Marantha Edwards, Leesburg’s Economic Development Director, in a statement from the town. “There will be a wide range of job opportunities, from field work to data entry to technology jobs available.”

Certified HUBZone businesses seeking federal contracts receive some competitive advantages. To be certified, a business’ primary office location must be within a HUBZone, it must qualify as a small business under SBA standards, it must be 51 percent American-owned and 35 percent of its employees must live within a HUBZone.

See the accompanying map of the Leesburg HUBZone or visit the town’s website at www.leesburgva.gov/HUBZone.

Participants in the town’s event will be eligible for drawings to win three prepaid gas cards ($100, $50 and $25).

Businesses in the HUBZone or considering moving into the zone can contact Doug Parsons, Leesburg’s business development manager at dparsons@leesburgva.gov or 703-771-6530 to participate in the event. Limited spaces are available.

Members of the commercial real estate industry will attend to help prospective businesses find office space within the HUBZone. The HUBZone event is free to all attendees and participants.