Economic Development
160 New Businesses in Three Years
Purcellville's commercial growth under Mayor Fraser — 2017 to 2022 — driven by downtown investment, adaptive reuse of town-owned properties, strategic public-private partnerships, and $1.1 million in targeted COVID relief.
Between 2019 and 2021, more than 160 new businesses opened in Purcellville, Virginia. Between 2017 and 2020, 35 previously vacant storefronts became occupied. In 2019 alone, 53 new enterprises launched in the town. These figures, drawn from the town's own State of the Town reporting during Kwasi Fraser's mayoral years, represent one of the more measurable economic records of a small Virginia municipality during the period.
53
New businesses in 2019 alone
80+
New businesses 2018–2020
160+
New businesses 2019–2021
35
Fewer vacancies 2017–2020
Anchor Investments
Two private-sector investments of note defined the character of Purcellville's commercial growth.
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Completed a multi-million-dollar investment in downtown Purcellville during Fraser's administration. Catoctin Creek, founded in 2009 and recognized for its rye whiskey and brandy, draws visitors from the broader Loudoun County wine-and-agriculture tourism corridor, which encompasses multiple wineries within a 15-mile radius of the town.
Bia Kitchen
Completed a significant downtown investment during this period, contributing to the commercial vitality of Purcellville's Main Street-style commercial core.
Makersmiths: Adaptive Reuse as Economic Development
The conversion of a derelict town maintenance facility and a decommissioned treatment plant at 785 South 20th Street into Makersmiths stands as the Fraser administration's most concrete example of public-sector asset conversion for economic and community purposes. Makersmiths is a community manufacturing and robotics workshop equipped with 3D printers, CNC machines, plasma cutters, laser cutters, welding stations, pottery wheels, and blacksmith tools.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Makersmiths produced more than 100 at-home student desks for families in the region and hundreds of face masks for first responders — demonstrating that a community-oriented manufacturing space can also function as emergency preparedness infrastructure.
Makersmiths — full profile →Fireman's Field: A Public-Private Partnership
In January 2018, the Town of Purcellville formalized a concession partnership with Shaun Alexander Enterprises and Play To Win, LLC for the Fireman's Field and Bush Tabernacle complex. Fireman's Field is a historic athletic facility in Purcellville with a long association with baseball. The partnership brought professional management and programming investment to the complex, anchoring Babe Ruth League youth baseball programming and Purcellville Cannons collegiate summer-league baseball. The partnership model — town-owned land, private-sector management and programming — reflected the Fraser administration's approach to leveraging public assets without requiring tax-funded operational overhead.
COVID-19 Economic Relief
$891,932
CARES Act Funds
Distributed to local businesses and nonprofits demonstrating COVID-related financial harm.
$200K+
Meals-Tax Relief
Returned directly to restaurant patrons during pandemic closures and capacity restrictions.
The Slow-Growth Context
Purcellville's commercial growth occurred within a strict slow-growth framework. Fraser's administration operated on the documented principle that residential development costs the town $1.60 in services for every $1.00 it generates in tax revenue. He voted against three annexation bids during his tenure. The 160-plus new businesses between 2019 and 2021 were commercial enterprises — not residential units — directed toward Purcellville's existing commercial core.
Key Facts at a Glance
- 53 new business enterprises opened in Purcellville in 2019 alone
- 80-plus new businesses opened between 2018 and 2020
- 160-plus new businesses opened between 2019 and 2021
- 35 vacant storefronts filled between 2017 and 2020
- Catoctin Creek Distillery and Bia Kitchen completed multi-million-dollar downtown investments
- 785 South 20th Street converted from derelict town facility to Makersmiths community workshop
- Makersmiths produced 100-plus student desks and hundreds of face masks during COVID-19
- January 2018 concession partnership at Fireman's Field anchors Purcellville Cannons baseball
- $891,932 in CARES Act funds distributed to local businesses and nonprofits
- $200,000-plus in meals-tax relief returned to restaurant patrons
- All growth occurred within a documented slow-growth framework rejecting residential annexation
- Meals Tax Revenue increased by over $1 million due to business growth
- Property values increased by over 50% during his tenure
Mayor Fraser joins Bank of America leadership for the grand opening ribbon cutting in Purcellville — one of 160-plus businesses welcomed to town between 2019 and 2021.
