It’s time to do what’s best for Prince William County and move forward with the Digital Gateway. Approved by the Board of County Supervisors in December 2023, the Digital Gateway’s implementation has been slowed due to legal proceedings meant to stop it despite years of discussion, debate, and public hearings that led to approval by the Board of County Supervisors.
Opponents are focused on burdening our legal system with proceedings to challenge the Digital Gateway’s approval even though the Prince William courts have already dismissed one case with prejudice because it lacks merit. Today, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors will ask the County Circuit Court to dismiss another lawsuit filed by a former State Senator that would halt the Digital Gateway Project.
The Chamber is sensitive to the issues that were raised during the years of debate on the Digital Gateway. However, those issues were addressed during the approval process and safeguards put in place to ensure the Digital Gateway meets the most stringent standards.
It is time now that we come together as a community to move forward and implement the vision of the Digital Gateway. We’ve seen in Loudoun County the tax benefits it has reaped because of data centers. From 2018 – 2022, they received about $2.3 billion in tax revenue according to a George Mason University analysis. That has meant more revenue for its schools as well as less reliance on residential taxes.
Imagine what that tax revenue would do for Prince William County to fund its priorities such as schools, parks and affordable housing initiatives as well as relief to homeowners’ taxes. These are important priorities for the Chamber and all of us.
It is time to stop the legal delays and move forward with the Digital Gateway for the benefit of the community.
The Prince William County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a panel on affordable workforce housing on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Potomac Valley Church in Dumfries.
The summit will bring together multiple industry leaders, policymakers and developers to discuss strategies that will benefit Prince William County. It will be hosted at the Potomac Valley Church at 1006 Williamstown Drive in Dumfries from 5 to 7 p.m. Registration is encouraged.
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Dill Dinker’s Pickleball, co-founded by Denise Richards and her husband Will, emerged from an unexpected but fortuitous shift in their lives. Like many others during the pandemic, the couple searched for ways to stay active and connected while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
After nearly two decades in outside sales, Denise discovered pickleball and quickly fell in love with the game. This passion ultimately laid the foundation for a thriving business that would soon expand nationwide.
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Manassas is gearing up for an engaging Mayoral Forum on October 1, 2024. The event, featuring incumbent Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger (D) and challenger Xiao-Yin Tang Byrom (R), will be held at the Manassas Museum, located at 9101 Prince William Street. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the program will commence promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Organized to give residents a direct channel to hear from the candidates about their visions and policies, the forum promises a thorough discourse on local issues. It will be moderated by trusted local entities, including InsideNova and the Prince William Times, and Potomac Local News.
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Prince William County has unveiled a new digital platform, PWC Works, designed to enhance transparency and communication between the local government and its residents. The initiative aims to provide real-time updates on county projects, address public concerns, and offer a streamlined way for citizens to track government actions, including long-standing issues such as permitting delays.
Tackling Permitting Delays
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SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt, located at 10077 Market Circle in Manassas, is now open for business. The grand opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, welcoming the community to enjoy a variety of frozen yogurt options.
Lulu Trotter, the owner of SweetFrog, shared her journey to opening the new location. "My husband and I initially were going to buy the Ashburn location, but we ended up driving down to see the Manassas one and just fell in love. So we bought it."
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Press release:
The Annual Salute to the Armed Forces event, hosted by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, brings keynote speaker and Paralympian John Register to the Northern Virginia area on Wednesday, October 23rd.
Sponsored by QTS Data Centers, John Register joins Salute as this year’s keynote speaker. A two-time Paralympian, a Persian Gulf War veteran, and a TEDx motivational speaker. Despite facing adversity, Register was able to overcome many obstacles to become a voice for others in similar circumstances.
Each year, Salute honors the military presence in the Northern Virginia area and shows appreciation to our veteran community. The event will include patriotic performances, ceremonial honors and heartfelt tributes. The Annual Salute to the Armed Forces luncheon will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club.
“Each year, I look forward to this exceptional celebration where we honor the brave men and women who served our nation,” said Bob Sweeney, CEO of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. “It is truly rewarding to see members of our community come together to express their appreciation to our veterans.”
The event is open to the public and members of the community to attend the luncheon to show their support for our veterans. All veterans and active-duty military members are eligible for a $10 discount by using promo code SALUTE24. register to attend visit: https://bit.ly/3RQ5TRa.
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce launched its new podcast, “The Other Prince William Podcast,” on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The podcast will feature stories from local business owners, highlighting their beginnings and entrepreneurial journeys.
The first episode will feature local artist John Hartt, known for his distinctive and vibrant artwork visible throughout Manassas. The podcast aims to showcase the diverse stories of business owners, discussing how they launched and grew their businesses and how they connect to the community.
Chamber spokeswoman Caitlyn Stephens shared insights into the inspiration behind the podcast. “The Other Prince William Podcast was inspired by the other stories business owners have to tell that we don’t necessarily always hear,” said Stephens. “The stories of how they launched or grew their businesses, how they connect to the community and so much more are the stories many would love to hear.”
Chamber CEO Bob Sweeney and Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger will host the podcast. Stephens described the format and content of the episodes, stating, “Most episodes will be around 20 minutes, and two will be longer special features.”
Davis Younger is seeking a second term as mayor in the November 2024 General Election. While she’s agreed to ask questions of guests on the podcast, she is the only one of eight city council candidates who has not responded to this news organization’s questions about the campaign. Despite multiple requests, Davis Younger has never agreed to an interview for this news organization.
Future guests on the “The Other Prince William Podcast” will include OmniRide CEO Bob Schneider, musician and Shining Sol candles founder Pete Evick, and Villagio Group (Farm Brew Live) President Marcus Silva. Each guest will bring a unique perspective and story of their journey in business.
“We hope listeners enjoy unique stories directly from business owners and leaders, gain insights into what it takes to be successful, and mostly just enjoy conversations that feel very one-on-one,” Stephens added.
The podcast will be available on the chamber’s YouTube channel, website, Apple Music, and Spotify.
On Friday, July 19, 2024, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Urban Air Adventure Park in Woodbridge. The event will occur at 4:30 p.m. at Urban Air Woodbridge, 14173 Crossing Place, Woodbridge.
Urban Air Adventure Park offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages. These attractions include trampolines, an indoor sky rider, a ropes course, climbing walls, and the Warrior Course. Additionally, the park features Spin Zone Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, Virtual Reality experiences, Mini-Golf, Bowling, and indoor Go-Karts. Younger visitors can enjoy the Tubes Playground and Flash Pads, while those seeking more thrill can try the Leap of Faith, Twist Tower, and Trapeze.
Urban Air Adventure Park was founded in 2011 and has since grown to become the largest adventure park operator in the world, with nearly 290 locations open and under development. The company aims to provide fun and challenging experiences for kids, helping them achieve goals they never thought possible.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the official opening of the park, which will operate Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
