Manassas-based Electra announced Tuesday it will build its first production facility for the EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft in Springfield, Ohio, not Virginia.
The $850 million project is expected to create 1,975 jobs at a new 96-acre site next to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. The nine-passenger plane is designed to take off and land in as little as 150 feet and is aimed at a new market Electra calls Direct Aviation.
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce announced new leadership at its annual meeting on June 4, with Kristi Black named President and Chief Executive Officer and Steve Danziger elected as incoming Chair of the Board of Directors, effective July 1. Danziger emphasized a desire for stability, stating a clear goal of a “drama-free” year following more than 18 months of internal upheaval that drew public attention.
The appointments come after a turbulent period for the organization. In September 2025, Jinnae Monroe, the first Black woman appointed as Board Chair, resigned shortly after her historic selection amid reported pressure from then-CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney. Sweeney departed in early 2026. Potomac Local News previously reported on concerns regarding workplace culture and leadership transitions during that time.
The “Jive After Five Networking Reception” is scheduled for April 23, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street in downtown Manassas. The event will bring together chamber members, business leaders, and entrepreneurs for an evening of networking and collaboration.
According to the Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the gathering marks the chamber’s formal expansion into Manassas and Prince William County. The organization says the move is aimed at strengthening business connections and promoting economic opportunities across the region.
The Salvation Army has successfully relocated its thrift store from its former site in Gordon Plaza to a prominent new space at Woodbridge Shopping Center, strengthening its presence in the community.
The new location spans 19,000 square feet and occupies a highly visible corner position at the intersection of Route 1 and Occoquan Road—only two blocks from the previous Gordon Plaza address.
“Sprouts is excited to bring our wide selection of fresh, local and better-for-you products to the Dumfries community as we continue to grow in Virginia,” Sprouts public relations manager Mychael Ramirez said in an email to the Prince William Times, the newspaper reported. “Sprouts offers a carefully curated assortment of products that inspire wellness naturally, including organic, gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO favorites.”
Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open a new grocery store in 2027 inside the former Shoppers Food Warehouse space at Fortuna Plaza off Dumfries Road. The Phoenix-based grocer operates more than 480 stores nationwide and currently has four Virginia locations in Herndon, Manassas, Leesburg, and Haymarket.
“It’s with an aching heart that we share the news of Heritage Brewing Co.’s pending closure,” Heritage Brewing Co. announced. “For over a decade, we’ve poured our souls into every batch, turning simple ingredients into stories shared over laughter, celebrations, and conversations in our taproom.”
“You’ve been more than customers—you’ve been our community, our inspiration, and the reason we kept brewing through thick and thin,” the brewery added, thanking its staff, musicians, and loyal patrons. “Here’s to the memories that will linger long after the taps run dry.”
City officials said weather conditions are affecting staffing and operations, with some businesses able to open if employees live within walking distance. Others have chosen to close for the day due to road and safety concerns.
“Repealing Virginia’s right-to-work law could lower the state’s economic output by tens of billions of dollars over the next decade,” The Center Square reported. “The report, prepared by Mangum Economics and commissioned by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, projects that Virginia’s gross state product would be about $36.8 billion lower over 10 years if the law were repealed.”
Prince William Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney is departing the organization after the completion of a leadership investigation that sources say raised concerns about workplace culture, staff treatment, and organizational risk.
Neither Sweeney nor the Chamber responded to requests for comment about the investigation or its findings.
