Mason Enterprise Center hosts open house for new renovations

President Cabrera (third from left) joins Fairfax Mayor Silverthorne (fourth from left). The Mayor is holding the scissors. (Photo courtesy of MediaForce PR)

The Mason Enterprise Center held an open house to showcase completed renovations of its facility.

“Our primary goal is to support the needs of growing companies,” said Keith Segerson, executive director of MEC. “We provide the tools, insights and infrastructure businesses need to succeed in the ever-changing and competitive marketplace.”

In 1995, George Mason University established a partnership with the City of Fairfax to create the Mason Enterprise Center. Sponsored by the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority, the organization provides services to small businesses such as one-on-one consulting and office space.

“The city was looking for a way to spur entrepreneurship,” said Jody Keenan, managing director for the MEC. “The incubator was a good way to do that.”

The MEC works as an “incubator system,” where businesses can be housed in the MEC building and work with staff on anything from finances to marketing. All businesses working with the organization are encouraged to stay within the City of Fairfax.

Fairfax County Supervisor John Cook thought that the MEC was a good example of collaboration between a local university and the community.

“You wouldn’t want a federal agency doing this,” Cook said.

On Nov. 15, the center held an open house to showcase the building renovations that began in May of 2012.

“I am delighted to be a part of the grand opening because I have witnessed the positive impact the MECFairfax makes on the region,” said Scott Silverthorne, mayor of the City of Fairfax. “The re-designed Fairfax facility . . . provides business owners with important resources to support their growth and success which in turn strengthens the economy.”

Attendees, which included local business leaders and elected officials, were given tours of the facility. Later at the event, Silverthorne joined President Ángel Cabrera for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovations.

The MEC building, located on University drive, is over 29,000 square feet, and contains 11 conference rooms, 79 offices, and other break areas. The organization currently houses about 30 companies.

Overall, over 300 companies have used Fairfax’s MEC incubation program.