It’s been a mixed bag for Loudoun business this week – and for those looking for more options. On the one hand, it was announced that another theater chain is coming to Loudoun, this time the Alamo Draft House. On the other hand, we learned that Bloom grocery stores would be shuttering the brand and closing two locations in Loudoun. So while you might need to drive further for groceries, a movie is now closer.

It’s no secret that the recent recession has been hard on business in general, as our commercial vacancy rate shows. Some buildings remain vacant, with the Borders book store being one of the more notable. But a tour of some commercial developments shows the grim reality that we’re still not back in the boom years yet.

Recent years have also seen the closure of many smaller locally-owned businesses, who simply didn’t have the deep pockets to ride out a rough financial market. Seeing an empty storefront makes you question the need for new retail and commercial development. We are certainly not against growth, and the uneven proportion of residential versus commercial development in past years would generally argue for much more work on commercial development.

Ever optimistic, we’ll cling to recent trends in the unemployment rate and stabilization in the real estate market as a good sign. But it’s not over yet.

When running for office, most candidates will explain the benefits of small business and how important they are to the local economy and the basic mindset of an area. Helping small business is a mantra for public officials, regardless of party. But what has actually been done?

Much of the work done by local organizations have focused on economic development through recruiting existing business rather than how to cultivate new ones here. These grand gestures are absolutely necessary, but small business is essential as well.

And small businesses are sometimes difficult to gauge. These are not the business leaders who spend time lobbying their elected leaders or make large political contributions. With a small business, they probably don’t have the time to actively participate in the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce or the Downtown Leesburg Business Association. They’re elusive – and if they only have two to three employees then chances are they seldom have time to write their congressman.

So how can we help?

We propose action that allows rhetoric to match reality. Let’s make small business a priority for our newly-elected officials. We propose a task force under the auspices of the Board of Supervisors to provide outreach to small businesses in Loudoun. First, figure out what can be done – institute an information-gathering effort to determine the strength of our local businesses. How severely are the landscapers suffering? How close to closure is that local parts store or nail salon? A survey could be made part of their application for a business license renewal.

After this outreach is conducted, then a plan of action can be implemented to provide support. Can three forms be made into one? Are local traffic patterns hurting a particular group of business? Perhaps this micro-level examination of the challenges facing them can identify what is necessary to allow them to expand. A similar outreach effort to the residents of Sterling produces a laundry list of potential improvements, many of which were taken similarly by the prior board.

Remember, every big business started out as just a small one. Wouldn’t it be nice to be competing to keep a major business in the county and reminding them that they started here before expanding?

The next step is to work harder to encourage new business to thrive. The efforts of the Mason Enterprise Business Center and the Small Business Development Center are to be commended, but there is more work to be done when there remains empty storefronts throughout the area. We might learn that a designated contact at the government center to shepherd business owners through the process would pay for himself if it eased the way for new business.

And for the average consumer, consider having dinner out at a locally-owned restaurant or working with a small business instead of a chain. It’s a simple fact, more of your money stays in the area when you shop local. And as we’re examining the county budget again, it might be time to start remembering that.