Colonial Beach is what some might call “a summer town.” A substantial portion of its revenue comes from out-of-towners dropping in to enjoy the numerous charms, chief among them the pub‑lic beach that stretches along the Potomac. The Town gave recognition to this last week during a work session.

A proclamation was read into the record by Councilwoman Lisa Grandstaff, who also serves as the Town Council’s eco‑nomic development liaison.

“The Town of Colonial Beach recognizes that small businesses are the backbone of the local economy, provid‑ing employment opportuni‑ties, supporting families, and contributing significantly to the Town’s economic vitality, unique character, and quality of life,” read Grandstaff.

“Travel and tourism are essential components of Colonial Beach’s economy, attracting visitors who sup‑port local businesses, gener‑ate revenue, create jobs, and strengthen the Town’s posi‑tion as a vibrant waterfront destination.”

It was noted during the proclamation that far more than just beaches draw people to the Town. People flock to Colonial Beach also seeking to sample the Town’s “his‑toric charm, festivals, recre‑ation, dining, and hospitality offerings,” which “enhance the visitor experience and showcase the Town as a wel‑coming place to live, work, and visit.”

May is also National Small Business Month as well as National Travel & Tourism Month, the former built around recognizing and appreciating the contributions that small businesses have made to communities and their local economies. The latter is essentially oriented more toward how important travel is in making the econ‑omy run.

The proclamation ended with the Town encouraging “residents, visitors, and com‑munity partners to support small businesses, explore local attractions, and cele‑brate the entrepreneurs and tourism professionals who make Colonial Beach a thriv‑ing and welcoming commu‑nity.”