This post is written as part of a paid content partnership between Potomac Local and City of Manassas to showcase businesses and economic development in the city.
Historic Heart. Modern Beat.   These four words simply yet masterfully describe the City of Manassas. In case you missed it, this is the City’s new tagline, and it’s pretty spot-on.   Â
Manassas is a city steeped in rich history and tradition and takes great pride in the pivotal role it played in our country’s defining war.Â
Manassas is also transforming.Â
It is attracting a creative class of entrepreneurs that are changing the face of our City. They are authentic, eclectic, driven; and they are breathing new life into Manassas, most notably in Historic Downtown.Â
Of the 16 new businesses to which the City’s Economic Development Office provided site selection assistance, 8 chose downtown, including: Manassas Olive Oil, Center Street Gourmet Wine and Cheese, Totally Vintage and Scattered Seeds.Â
Destination retail establishments like these bring with them a diverse and loyal customer base, critical to the economic sustainability of any community. Not only do they positively contribute to the City’s tax base, they are adding to the unique fabric of what makes Manassas a city with an historic heart and modern beat.   Â
Attracting these new and diverse businesses is critical for continued economic vitality; however it is the City’s existing businesses to which it can attribute the bulk of economic growth. Existing businesses, the ones that have created the allure to attract other companies, represent 80 percent of the economic growth in Manassas.Â
The growth and expansion of these businesses are what drives the City’s economy. Thankfully, existing businesses in Manassas are thriving, in part due to the City’s proactive approach to businesses expansion through the creation of a strong business development program.  Â
The program’s primary focus is on business expansion and becoming a center for entrepreneurial success.  Staff meets with local owners to discuss each company’s individual needs and suggests a variety of business resources. In the last year, the City helped 10 companies expand their operations through this specialized assistance.
The City’s economy is strong, and gets stronger with each new business and each new expansion that occurs in Manassas.Â
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but…
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
