The Manassas Regional Airport is on the verge of a major transformation as it progresses toward becoming a Part 139 certificated airport, a designation that would allow it to offer commercial airline service. This advancement, along with ongoing modernization efforts, was a key focus of the latest Manassas City Council meeting on February 10, 2025.
Airport Commission Chairman Rod Hall underscored the significance of the upcoming certification, noting that it would place Manassas in an elite category.
"Today, the airport stands at the cusp of becoming a Part 139 certificated airport, offering commercial service, working in collaborative efforts with our partner, Avports. Our team is working up and down the certification checklist from ARF, security, and environmental assessments work to addressing current infrastructure deficiencies. All parties are working diligently towards achieving certification this year."
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The Manassas City Council has voted to extend a lucrative tax incentive for Micron Technology Inc. through 2035, solidifying the semiconductor company’s continued presence in the city. The agreement, approved during the February 10, 2025, council meeting, ensures that Micron’s annual tax payments will increase by 4% while maintaining a lower tax rate than other manufacturers.
However, the decision has sparked concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger. Multiple sources indicate that Davis-Younger is in a relationship with Delbert Parks, Vice President and Site Director at Micron’s Manassas facility.
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Manassas is considering a significant tax incentive to support Micron Technology Inc.'s planned expansion, which includes a $2 billion capital investment in its semiconductor manufacturing facility. The proposal, set to be discussed at the Manassas City Council meeting on Monday, February 10, 2025, would extend Micron’s favorable tax classification for semiconductor equipment through 2035.
The expansion comes as Micron is slated to receive $275 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the CHIPS and Science Act, a federal initiative to boost domestic semiconductor production. The funding will help Micron modernize and expand its Manassas facility, particularly by onshoring its 1-alpha DRAM technology, which improves memory chip performance and power efficiency. The project is expected to create over 400 direct manufacturing jobs and up to 2,700 indirect jobs at its peak.
City’s Proposed Tax Incentive
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At the Jan. 27 Manassas City Council Meeting, the Department of Economic Development detailed the economic health of the city in the past year as new businesses entered the city and tourism increased.
Patrick Small, director of the department, said his department prefers to track the results of his department's work rather than the number of business inquiries it receives or trade shows it attends.
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Manassas city officials are discussing major redevelopment projects, particularly in Old Town, Mathis Avenue, and Fairview Avenue. According to the city council, these discussions come as multiple developers have expressed interest in city-owned properties, prompting the council to consider issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to attract large-scale investment.
Old Town Inn Redevelopment & Parking Solutions
A key focus of the meeting was the Old Town Inn site, where city officials debated whether to prioritize a new hotel or a mixed-use project. The lack of parking downtown remains a significant challenge, and council members acknowledged that constructing a 300-space parking deck is critical to enabling future development.
According to the city council, these discussions come as multiple developers have expressed interest in city-owned properties, prompting the council to consider issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to attract large-scale investment.
Old Town Inn Redevelopment & Parking Solutions
A key focus of the meeting was the Old Town Inn site, where city officials debated whether to prioritize a new hotel or a mixed-use project. The lack of parking downtown remains a significant challenge, and council members acknowledged that constructing a 300-space parking deck is critical to enabling future development.
“This is more than 300 spaces; I think we’ve fit into the site, but you’re talking about, of course, existing City Hall, which is a little short of 100 spaces right now. And then two to three, I think, three levels of where we’re at right now. So, 300 spaces are critical to unlocking the development potential of the Old Town Inn site. It is very hard to park and get a lot of development,”? said Assistant City Manager and Director of Planning & Community Development.
City staff proposed a phased development plan, starting with parking infrastructure before selling city-owned land to developers for private investment. Arcieri emphasized that structured parking will be a requirement for any redevelopment project to maintain accessibility and attract businesses.
Developer Interest in Mathis Avenue and Fairview Avenue
The Mathis Avenue corridor, long seen as a prime area for revitalization, has garnered interest from multiple developers for projects that could include townhomes, apartments, and mixed-use retail spaces.
“With my developer hat on, Matt’s right on point,” said Councilman Mark Wolfe. “Whatever happens here will actually set the tone, not only for Mathis Avenue but for any redevelopment going towards Old Town. This piece is very critical”.
In 2024, Manassas took a significant step in its redevelopment efforts by purchasing the 14-acre Manassas Shopping Center on Mathis Avenue for $16 million. The shopping center is home to 21 commercial tenants, including notable businesses like Advance Auto Parts and Pitkins Hardware stores. By becoming the landlord of these establishments, the city plans to oversee and guide the area’s transformation to bolster local economic development.
Discussions also touched on Fairview Avenue, where developers have inquired about purchasing land for high-density residential projects. However, some council members raised concerns about affordable housing and resident displacement.
“”We need to make sure we’re taking care of the folks as part of any proposal who are already living on the property. So I think when staff talks about this, addressing displacement, preferably on-site, is going to be something we’re going to push,” said Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna
Mixed-Use vs. Residential: What’s the Right Balance?
One of the primary debates during the meeting was whether to allow residential units in redevelopment projects. While some officials see high-density housing as necessary for economic growth, others worry about overcrowding and increased demand for city services.
Council members were split on the issue, with some advocating for a developer-led vision and others urging planning to preserve green spaces and community character.
Next Steps: Issuing RFPs and Public Engagement
As developers continue to approach the city with proposals, officials are debating whether to issue individual RFPs for each site or consolidate projects under one master plan.
City officials confirmed that formal RFPs will be issued in 2025, strongly emphasizing developer contributions to infrastructure projects.
Manassas continues to make strides in its commitment to fostering a business environment, with the Manassas Business Council (NBC) and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) reflecting on the city’s ongoing growth and vision for future projects. Both organizations presented their annual reports during the city council meeting on January 27, 2025, highlighting key initiatives, business growth, and revitalization efforts.
Key Developments and Business Growth
The Manassas Business Council’s efforts to connect with local businesses have paid off with a year of meetings, presentations, and discussions. Key highlights from their year include monthly meetings with industry experts, discussions about economic development in the city, and presentations on projects such as the façade and landscape improvement grants. Notably, the city’s economic development initiatives were discussed, including the work to support small businesses and increase community engagement. Council members were also informed about the successes of local restaurants and the efforts to make Historic Downtown Manassas a business district.
This year’s spotlight was also on the EDA’s contributions to Manassas’ economic landscape. The $16 million purchase of the Manassas Shopping Center is one of the most significant developments.
This acquisition aims to revitalize the Mathis Avenue corridor, a long-awaited effort in the city’s planning, set to incorporate community feedback during spring 2025 planning sessions. EDA Chair Denise Harrover emphasized the importance of this project, pointing to the growth potential for future business opportunities and community development. Additionally, a new extended-stay hotel development at the Landing at Cannon Branch was approved, contributing to the city’s expanding tourism and hospitality industries, generating tax revenue, and creating jobs.
Community Engagement and Future Projects
Community engagement will play a role in the city’s ongoing revitalization efforts. Future community conversations to discuss the redevelopment of the Manassas Shopping Center will allow residents to offer input and share their vision for the area. This aligns with the broader goal to transform underutilized properties and enhance the city’s overall appeal as a place to live, work, and do business. The council has expressed openness to incorporating affordable housing elements into these redevelopment plans.
With other developments in the pipeline, including new data centers and multifamily projects, the city is positioning itself for long-term economic health. The council continues to focus on improving commercial and industrial corridors while seeking ways to attract and retain new businesses.
Manassas is also making strides in workforce development with programs like Grow Manassas, which helps residents access higher education opportunities in fields like nursing. In collaboration with UVA Health, this program will provide full scholarships for residents to pursue nursing degrees, an essential step in addressing the region’s growing healthcare needs.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is progressing toward finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Department of Economic Development.
The draft MOU aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both entities in promoting economic growth and business attraction within the county. However, concerns raised by some Board members suggest that the document may need further refinement before it can be adopted.
During a work session on January 28, 2025, Liz Barber, the county’s Director of Economic Development, presented the draft MOU, highlighting the extensive process that led to its creation. The document was developed over the past year, with input from both county administration and EDA members. Its goal is to establish clear guidelines and expectations for the EDA and the Department of Economic Development, particularly regarding the administrative processes, division of duties, and collaboration between the two bodies.
The EDA has seven members who assist the Board of Supervisors in attracting and financing industry and commerce to the community.
Most recently, the EDA was instrumental in hammering out a performance agreement with Amazon Web Services for the Old Potomac Church Data Center Site. Barber explained that whenever the Board approves an incentive agreement of Supervisors, the EDA serves as the conduit for reimbursing agreed-upon fees after the project completes certain milestones. These milestones ensure the necessary capital and infrastructure improvements are made. Without the EDA, Stafford County could not offer competitive incentives to secure essential projects like the AWS data center.
It was also active in the Stafford Germanna Community College expansion by contributing $750,000 toward the newly opened Stafford location for Germanna Community College.
The MOU outlines key responsibilities, including financial procedures such as access to EDA bank accounts, passwords, and loan underwriting processes. Barber emphasized that the document was designed to provide stability and consistency, ensuring that regardless of staff changes or leadership transitions, the roles and responsibilities of both entities remain clear. As Barber explained in a recent communication, the lack of an MOU to date has created challenges, and this new document will formalize existing operational guidelines that both entities have been following informally.
“There is no MOU in place to date, prompting the need and interest in having one to go forward,” Barber said. “The interest in generating this document is likely driven by the desire to create consistency, which will alleviate confusion as new staff, elected officials, and EDA members come and go through the years.”
However, Board members voiced concerns over the document’s alignment with the county’s strategic goals. Supervisor Pamela Yeung, for instance, questioned whether the MOU sufficiently reflects the county’s vision for economic development, especially in light of the upcoming strategic plan being developed. Yeung noted that the EDA’s strategic plan is waiting to be updated, and she expressed reluctance to move forward with the MOU until there is more clarity about how both entities’ strategic goals will align.
“I just feel that when reading through it, I saw a reference to staff, and I wasn’t sure who the staff was. Was it the county staff, the ED staff, or county administration staff?” Yeung remarked. “Without the strategic plan, it’s hard for me to support this right now.”
Another concern some members, including Supervisor Darrell English, raised was the need for a more robust, long-term strategy to guide the county’s economic development efforts. While the MOU establishes basic administrative procedures, questions remain about the direction of business incentives, the role of the EDA in site development, and how both entities can work together to attract the types of businesses that align with Stafford’s growth goals.
“I feel like we need more than just administrative guidelines,” English said. “We need something that will help define the county’s approach to business development and create clear goals for the EDA.”
Barber responded by explaining that the MOU was intended to be an “evergreen” document capable of evolving with the county’s strategic goals. She emphasized that the Economic Development Department has been working closely with the EDA to ensure that both entities are aligned. However, further changes could be made as the county’s strategic plan is finalized.
Despite the concerns, Barber expressed confidence that the MOU, once approved, will provide a clear framework for the future. “This is about creating guardrails for us to work together effectively,” she explained. “It’s important that we move forward with a solid foundation, even as we continue to refine our goals.”
In the coming weeks, the Board will continue to discuss the MOU’s details and ensure they align with the county’s strategic goals and the evolving role of the EDA. Supervisors also emphasized the importance of revisiting the MOU regularly to adapt to changing economic conditions and ensure the county’s economic development efforts remain dynamic and effective.
Small business owners and marketing professionals from across Virginia gathered in Stafford County on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, for the inaugural Stafford Tourism & Business Marketing Summit at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center.
The one-day, free event focused on digital marketing, branding, and artificial intelligence, providing attendees with insights into how businesses can enhance their outreach and advertising strategies. The summit featured a keynote address by Greg Kihlström, a best-selling author and consultant specializing in marketing technology and digital transformation.
A Day Packed with Insights and Strategy
The summit’s agenda included breakout sessions on social media strategies, branding, and data analytics, giving business owners tools to enhance their marketing efforts. A panel discussion closed the event, allowing industry experts to share their thoughts on the latest trends in digital marketing.
Among the speakers was Jay Owen, CEO of Business Builders, a marketing agency he founded in 1999. Owen, who has spoken at conferences nationwide, emphasized that the challenges businesses face today are increasingly universal rather than region-specific.
“It’s more globalized now than it ever has been because of the internet,” Owen explained. “Back in the day, what a local community needed marketing-wise was much more niche, but now, most people are staring at their phones half the time anyway. The question is: how do we connect with them wherever they are? Even if I’m a local business, I still need to reach people whether they’re at home or on the go.”
AI’s Growing Influence on Marketing
One of the most talked-about topics of the day was artificial intelligence’s impact on marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). Despite the uncertainty surrounding AI’s influence on marketing, Owen believes businesses should embrace the change rather than fear it.
“There aren’t a lot of hard answers on it yet because of all the AI changes in the world,” he said. “It’s just not what it used to be. That said, I always tell people you’ve got two choices: you can be scared about it or excited about it.”
Speakers and Industry Experts
The event brought together a diverse group of marketing professionals, including:
- Zack Flanagan, CEO of Hive Marketing, who emphasized data-driven marketing strategies
- Chris Muldrow, owner of Rambletype, a Fredericksburg-based digital marketing firm
- Lindsey Norment, Brand Director for the Virginia Tourism Corporation, who discussed the role of tourism marketing in economic development
- Annie Plotkin, a paid media strategist specializing in building brand awareness through digital advertising
- Mark Devito, a three-time Emmy Award-winning creative director, who highlighted the power of storytelling in branding
The property, once proposed as the location for a large indoor sports and recreation facility, is now part of a broader development plan. County officials aim to aggregate the land with four adjacent parcels, totaling nearly 50 acres of county- and state-owned land, including existing commuter parking lots. The mission is to transform the area into a community hub that harmonizes living, working, and leisure spaces while generating jobs and tax revenue.
Known colloquially as Prince William Landing, the area was previously considered as a potential site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium alongside another location near Potomac Mills mall. Both sites were discussed as part of efforts to keep the team in Northern Virginia after its lease on FedEx Field expires in 2027. However, those plans did not materialize.
