MANASSAS 2040 Economic Development / 75 A strong local economy is intrinsically tied to a high quality of life. Businesses make location and expansion decisions based not only on the local workforce and business environment, but also on the community’s ability to offer employees the lifestyle they desire. In addition to workforce availability and the costs of doing business in a community, employers are increasingly interested in the quality of schools, range of housing options, and availability of recreation and cultural amenities. Located in the Greater Washington region, Manassas provides companies with a strategic advantage for doing business in a global market. The City’s pro-business environment, talented workforce, access to numerous higher education institutions, rich cultural opportunities, and highly- accessible transportation network have contributed to the expansion of existing businesses and attraction of new business endeavors. Manassas is a regional employment hub for major industries from aerospace to homeland security to manufacturing, while offering ample opportunities for entrepreneurs and boutique retailers. As an indicator of this success, Manassas continues to be a net importer of labor, with more people commuting into the City for work than out each day. The City’s progressive economic development approach focuses on promoting these assets and enhancing Manassas as a place to work, live, and visit. The City actively works to strengthen the local economy through supportive programs and marketing. Rather than “Manassas provides a supportive environment for economic development and growth.” –Community Conversations Participant Economic Development CHAPTER 5:
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A strong local economy is intrinsically tied to a high quality of life. Businesses make location and expansion decisions based not only on the local workforce and business environment, but also on the community’s ability to offer employees the lifestyle they desire. In addition to workforce availability and the costs of doing business in a community, employers are increasingly interested in the quality of schools, range of housing options, and availability of recreation and cultural amenities.
Located in the Greater Washington region, Manassas provides companies with a strategic advantage for doing business in a global market. The City’s pro-business environment, talented workforce, access to numerous higher education institutions, rich cultural opportunities, and highly-
accessible transportation network have contributed to the expansion of existing businesses and attraction of new business endeavors. Manassas is a regional employment hub for major industries from aerospace to homeland security to manufacturing, while offering ample opportunities for entrepreneurs and boutique retailers. As an indicator of this success, Manassas continues to be a net importer of labor, with more people commuting into the City for work than out each day.
The City’s progressive economic development approach focuses on promoting these assets and enhancing Manassas as a place to work, live, and visit. The City actively works to strengthen the local economy through supportive programs and marketing. Rather than
“Manassas provides a supportive environment for economic development and growth.” –Community Conversations Participant
Economic DevelopmentCHAPTER 5:
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Goal StatementManassas is an economically thriving City where the combination of an entrepreneurial spirit, an involved business community, and a supportive City economic development presence results in growing businesses, a thriving active community, and a strong sense of place and opportunity.
targeting specific industries, these efforts target businesses that provide major investments to diversify the tax base, generate high-paying jobs for existing and prospective residents, or fill a niche that is currently unmet in the community.
Manassas also aggressively advances redevelopment and revitalization initiatives that leverage our existing assets and enhance our authentic sense of place. These efforts complement and strengthen the City’s growing tourism program, as
residents, employers, and visitors are similarly drawn to Manassas’ charming character and unique attractions.
The strategies found in this chapter identify efforts needed to continue strengthening the economic vitality of Manassas.
Ultimately, these strategies will create a more prosperous community with a diverse economy of large and small businesses that successfully compete in the local, regional, and global economy.
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Objectives and Strategies
ED 5.1.1 Utilize electronic media, social media, collateral materials, and targeted advertising to highlight community success, vibrancy, economic growth, and tourism.
PromotionED 5.1 Promote Manassas as a strong, vibrant, safe, and well-educated community in which to live, work, learn, and recreate.
ED 5.1.2 Execute a targeted outreach effort focused on potential business startup and relocation markets.
Business Attraction & ExpansionED 5.2 Attract new businesses and assist existing businesses to increase the City’s tax base and job opportunities for residents.
ED 5.2.1 Implement an adaptive business development program that responds to market and business trends.
ED 5.2.2 Create and foster business incubation, startup, and small business development support services.
ED 5.2.3 Identify and assist businesses poised for growth.
ED 5.2.4 Support the retention, growth, and expansion of existing businesses as a core element of the City’s economic development efforts.
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ED 5.3.1 Identify capital improvement projects that strategically facilitate private redevelopment investment in conformance with the character area design principles, while also improving the City’s infrastructure and services.
ED 5.3.2 Expand and apply a toolkit for development, redevelopment, and revitalization, to include specific support services and incentives. (See Map 5.1)
ED 5.3.3 Collaborate with the private sector to leverage the Airport, Godwin Technology, and Sudley Medical character areas to develop major employment centers focused on aviation, technology, and health care.
ED 5.3.4 Collaborate with the private sector to leverage the Downtown and Mathis character areas to attract investments that offer unique shopping, dining, lodging, and entertainment opportunities. Support Prince William County’s ongoing implementation of the Courthouse Master Plan to promote legal services around the Courthouse Complex.
ED 5.3.5 Maintain the Department of Economic Development as the ombudsman responsible for facilitating new development projects.
ED 5.3.6 Utilize the City’s Economic Development Authority as a tool for acquiring properties and providing financing for redevelopment in qualified areas.
Development & RedevelopmentED 5.3 Improve underutilized areas of the City to their highest and best use, in accordance with the character area principles.
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Map 5.1 – Economic Development Incentive Areas
Incentive Areas: Manassas uses a combination of special incentives areas, state incentives, and cash grants to assist existing and prospective businesses to offset the costs of expanding or relocating.
Map 5.1 shows the special incentive areas at the time of adoption of this plan.
Find out more about these incentives at: www.choosemanassas.org
ED 5.4.1 Recognize the Manassas School System as a crucial component of the City’s sustained economic development. Provide the support required to continue the School System’s success in providing an educated, skilled workforce to fill the community’s needs.
ED 5.4.2 Support programs and partnerships with major employers and educators to improve the transition from school to work and provide a skilled local workforce.
ED 5.4.3 Work with existing businesses to identify employment gaps and with the School System, the Northern Virginia Community College, and George Mason University to provide programs to address these gaps.
ED 5.4.4 Identify and support alternative education paths, including apprenticeships and technical training, to ensure a well-balanced skilled workforce.
Workforce DevelopmentED 5.4 Increase opportunities for workforce development that create a high-skilled labor pool and facilitate access to higher wage jobs.
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ED 5.5.1 Promote the Downtown as a tourism, cultural, and entertainment destination to attract visitors, residents, and new businesses.
ED 5.5.2 Continue to implement the Virginia Main Street approach to guide initiatives that support the preservation, revitalization, and expansion of the Downtown.
ED 5.5.3 Create and foster strong relationships with tourism partners and stakeholders.
ED 5.5.4 Create and support events, festivals, and parades that appeal to residents and visitors.
ED 5.5.5 Enhance and maintain venues, area attractions, and historic sites that appeal to residents and visitors.
TourismED 5.5 Maintain a strong tourism program focused on attracting visitors to the community.
