Prince William lands nearly 1,000 new jobs in the past year

Farm Brew Live is slowing becoming a destination for both locals and travelers.

The campus on Discovery Boulevard in Prince William County features a slew of sub-branded venues, like the 2 Silos Brewing Company, and The Yard music venue.

Since opening in October, Farm Brew Live has attracted people from in and around Prince William and Manassas but also pulls in out-of-towners who are visiting parks like the Manassas National Battlefield Park, or Washington, D.C.

“The location just seemed like a great fit, and it’s close enough to area highways, so it’s easy for people to get to us,” said Meredith Arnest, a Farm Brew Live spokeswoman.

The campus is located at the confluence of Prince William Parkway and Route 28, about six miles from Interstate 66.

While Farm Brew grows its business, Prince William County Economic Development officials are touting their recent successes with $817 million in new spending, creating 954 new jobs in the county. It’s the county’s firth year in row logging investments of half-a-billion dollars.

The provided financial aid to 18 companies in its targeted industry profile of information technology, life sciences, federal agencies, and supply chain transportation services.

A unique opportunity that brought Farm Brew to Prince William — the Thomasson Barn. The dilapidated dairy barn was owned by and was being preserved by the county when Villagio Entertainment Group (owners of Farm Brew Live) worked out a deal to purchase it.

The barn and its two silos are the inspiration behind the company’s brewhouse, 2 Silos Brewing. The barn is now being renovated to house a new farm-to-table restaurant called Black Sheep. Additionally, a new hall that will host weddings and corporate events is soon to open, added Arnest.

As the campus expands it is also helping to grow the at-place employment rate in Prince William County which is now nearly one percent lower than the national average of 3.9 percent.