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2025 Year-End Business Vitality Review
We value your input!
This review helps us understand your business needs, challenges, and opportunities so we can better support the local business community.
Responses may be shared in summary form, combining answers from many businesses. Individual responses will not be shared publicly or connected to a specific business without that business’s permission.
Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
BUSINESS PROFILE
If you’d be open to a follow-up conversation or would like additional support, please share your contact information below.
1.
Business Name:
2.
Business Street Address:
3.
Contact Name & Title
4.
E-Mail / Phone
*
5.
City Neighborhood / Commercial Nod:
(Required.)
Downtown
Central Park / Celebrate Virginia
Battlefield Industrial Park
Plank Rd. / Route 3
Dixon St. / Mayfield
Cowan Blvd. / MWH Medical Campus
Emancipation Hwy. / Route 1
Lafayette Blvd.
Princess Anne St. / Creative Maker District
Other (please specify)
*
6.
Business Location Type:
(Required.)
Commercial Property (Own)
Commercial Property (Rent/Lease)
Home-Based
Online Sales Only
*
7.
Industry Sector:
(Required.)
Retail
Restaurant / Bar
Health & Beauty
Hotel / Hospitality
Professional Services
Government Contracting
Medical Healthcare
Education
Manufacturing & Construction
Technology Services Provider
*
8.
Years in Fredericksburg (22401):
(Required.)
Less than 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
10+ years
20+ years
50+ years
*
9.
Number of Full-time Employees:
(Required.)
*
10.
Number of Part-time Employees:
(Required.)
11.
Annual Revenue Range:
$250,000 and under
$250,000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1,000,000
$1,000,000 and over
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE - 2025 SNAPSHOT
*
12.
How did your 2025 revenue(s) compare to 2024:
(Required.)
Increased Significantly
Increased Slightly
Stayed about the same
Decreased Slightly
Decreased Significantly
*
13.
Sales Growth Percentage (approx.)
(Required.)
20% / Over
20%
10 - 20%
1 - 9%
Flat / 0%
Negative
*
14.
Key Performance Drivers for 2026 (check all that apply):
(Required.)
Increased Customer Demand
Expanded Product/Services
Price Adjustments
Economic Conditions / Uncertainty
Supply Constraints
Labor Challenges - Hiring/Retention
Technology / Digital Shift
*
15.
How would you rate the overall local business climate in 2025:
(Required.)
Very positive
Positive
Neutral
Negative
Very Negative
*
16.
How did customer traffic change in 2025?
(Required.)
Increased
Stayed about the same
Decreased
Not Applicable (Appointment Based, Online, etc.)
*
17.
How did operating costs (i.e. rent, labor, utilities, supplies) change in 2025 compared to 2024:
(Required.)
Increased Significantly
Increased Slightly
Stayed about the same
Decreased
BUSINESS CHALLENGES, BARRIES & RISKS
*
18.
Which top challenges impacted your business in 2025 (pick up to 3):
(Required.)
Workforce Recruitment & Retention
Staffing & Workforce Availabilty
Access to Capital / Financing
Supply Chain Constraints
Rising Costs (Rent, Utilities, Insurance)
Marketing / Customer Acquisition
Regulatory / Permitting Issues
Transportation / Infrastructure Concerns
Rent or Occupancy Costs
Customer Foot Traffic
Parking or Transportation
Marketing / Visibility
Public Safety Concerns
Other (please specify)
*
19.
Which external risks concern you most for 2026? (pick up to 3)
(Required.)
Inflation / Interest Rates
Labor Shortages
Cybersecurity Threats
Climate or Weather-Related Disruption
Regulatory Changes
Economic Slowdown
Competitive Pressures
*
20.
How much of a challenge is commercial rent or lease terms for your business?
(Required.)
Not a Challenge
Minor Challenge
Significant Challenge
Not Applicable
*
21.
How would you rate the current local rules, regulations, and permitting process for your business?
(Required.)
Very Business-Friendly
Somewhat Business-Friendly
Neutral
Somewhat Challenging
Very Challenging
WORKFORCE & TALENT
*
22.
Do you consider it easy or difficult to hire qualified employees today?
(Required.)
Very easy
Somewhat Easy
Neutral
Somewhat Difficult
Very Difficult
*
23.
Which workforce issues are most impactful? (Check all that apply):
(Required.)
Skilled Labor Shortage
Competitive Wages / Benefits
Training Gaps
Retention of Staff
Commute / Transportation Challenges
*
24.
Do you work with local schools/colleges for workforce training, internships, or piplines?
(Required.)
Yes
No, not interested / applicable
No, would consider need additional information
*
25.
What best describes your staffing situation in 2025?
(Required.)
Fully Staffed
Slightly Understaffed
Significantly Understaffed
Overstaffed
Staffing Not Applicable
BUSINESS SUPPORT & RESOURCES UTILIZED
*
26.
Did you work with any of the following in 2025? (Check all that apply.)
(Required.)
Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Development Center (University of Mary Washington)
Small Business Administration (SBA) / Federal Programs
City of Fredericksburg Economic Development Business Support & Growth Program
Workforce Development Partners
Fredericksburg Main Street
Other (please specify)
27.
Which programs/services have been most helpful? (Check all that apply.)
Workforce Training
Access to Capital / Financing
Marketing Support / Visibility Campaigns
Permitting / Zoning Guidance
Business Continuity / Resilience Planning
Networking / Peer Events
Other (please specify)
28.
What additional business support would best help you in 2026?
TOURISM, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC FACTORS
*
29.
How would you rate the economic vitality of Fredericksburg in 2025 overall?
(Required.)
Very Strong
Strong
Moderate
Weak
Very Weak
*
30.
Factors contributing to local economic vitality (Check all that apply):
(Required.)
Tourism Growth & Visitor Spending
Event Activity & Downtown Energy
Local Consumer Demand
Quality of Life / Amenities Attracting Workers
Regional Economic Collaboration
Other (please specify)
*
31.
Approximately what share of your customers are:
(Required.)
Primarily Local Residents
Primarily Regional Residents
Mix of Residents & Visitors
Primarily Visitors
*
32.
How did tourism activity affect your business in 2025?
(Required.)
Very positive
Somewhat Positive
No Impact
Somewhat Negative
Very Negative
*
33.
How did special events, festivals, or seasonal programming impact your business?
(Required.)
Very positive
Somewhat Positive
No Impact
Somewhat Negative
Very Negative
Not Applicable
*
34.
What seasons are most critical to your business? (Check all that apply.)
(Required.)
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Evenly Important Year-Round
*
35.
What obstacles do you believe most challenge Fredericksburg's business vitality?
(Required.)
FUTURE PLANS, BUSINESS CONFIDENCE & OUTLOOK
*
36.
Over the next three (3) years, do you plan to:
(Required.)
Grow / Expand
Maintain Current Size
Downsize
Sell or Close
*
37.
What are your top priorities for 2026-2028? (Check up to three.)
(Required.)
New Hires / Workforce Development
Technology or Digital Upgrades
New Product / Service Offerings
Expansion into New Markets
Access to Financing
Infrastructure Improvements
Online Sales Presence
*
38.
How confident are you in your business's financial health?
(Required.)
Very confident
Somewhat confident
Neutral
Somewhat Concerned
Very Concerned
*
39.
During 2026, you expect your business performance to:
(Required.)
Improve
Stay About the Same
Decline
Unsure
*
40.
Do you plan to do any of the following in the next 12 months? (Check all that apply.)
(Required.)
Hire Additional Staff
Increase Hours of Capacity
Invest in Improvements or Equipment
Expand Product or Service Offerings
Relocate or Expand Space
No Major Changes Planned
Considering Closure or Sale
41.
What one metric would define success for your business in 2026?
NARRATIVE FEEDBACK & SUGGESTIONS
42.
What was the biggest challenge your business faced in 2025?
43.
What would success in 2026 look like for your business?
44.
What policies, initiatives, or programs should the City consider to strengthen business vitality?
45.
What is one thing the City or community could do better to support businesses in the coming year?
46.
Any other comments, suggestions, or concerns:
