DUMFRIES, Va. –Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood recently spoke about the new development underway at the corner of Route 1 and Possum Point Road: the first-ever Wawa gas station in the town. This new business, set to open in late summer or early fall of 2025, promises to bring economic benefits to the area, marking a pivotal moment in the town’s growth and revitalization efforts.

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MANASSAS, Va. — Electra.aero, a Manassas-based aerospace company, has raised $115 million in Series B funding to move its revolutionary EL9 Ultra Short aircraft into pre-production and certification. The hybrid-electric, nine-passenger aircraft is designed to take off and land in just 150 feet, making it ideal for areas without traditional aviation infrastructure.

Led by Prysm Capital, the funding round brings on Jay Park as a new board member. The EL9 uses blown-lift and hybrid-electric technology to offer the agility of a helicopter, the quiet of an electric vehicle, and the cost-efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft. Electra has already secured over 2,200 pre-orders worth more than $10 billion and is working with the U.S. military through multiple SBIR contracts to explore defense applications.

Electra’s CEO, Marc Allen, says the EL9 represents a leap forward in advanced air mobility, with capabilities that can transform commercial air travel and military logistics alike.

Full Press Release:

Manassas, VA, April 21, 2025 – Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra) today announced it has secured $115 million in Series B funding to enter the pre-production and certification phase of the EL9, the first-ever Ultra Short aircraft, which can take off and land in 150 feet – roughly 10% of the footprint required for similarly-sized legacy airplanes.

The round was led by Prysm Capital, and Jay Park, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Prysm, has joined Electra’s Board of Directors.

“We are delighted to welcome Jay and Prysm to the Electra family,” said Electra Board Chair John Langford. “They’ve already become an indispensable partner and advisor as we transition from prototype to product with the EL9.”

By integrating blown lift technology with hybrid-electric propulsion, Electra’s 9-passenger EL9 Ultra Short offers a range of transformative dual-use capabilities. It operates with the landing and takeoff versatility of a helicopter, the quiet of an electric vehicle, and the cost advantage and safety of a fixed-wing, fixed-propeller aircraft. With the EL9, commercial operators can connect communities that lack traditional aviation infrastructure, fly into airports with strict noise restrictions, create new opportunities and business models for cargo services, and save travelers significant time.

For defense operators, the EL9 introduces novel logistics and troop transport capabilities, including the ability to take off and land with a low signature in helicopter-sized spaces in remote, austere areas and providing mobile power capabilities while building on the safety, cost, and range advantages of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Electra has secured more than 2,200 pre-orders valued at over $10 billion for the EL9 – marking one of the largest provisional order pipelines in the commercial Advanced Air Mobility sector. Additionally, Electra has won over 20 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and NASA, and is currently performing on a Strategic Funding Increase contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop the EL9 for military use cases.

“At Electra, we are on a mission to deliver a new era of aviation, a leap forward in advanced air mobility that is both transformational and practical,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “The EL9 Ultra Short opens the door to opportunities to establish new commercial routes, connect communities currently lacking aviation infrastructure, and enable entirely novel logistics capabilities for warfighters. We look forward to working with our partners at Prysm to continue the development of this aircraft and chart a new course for aviation.”

The EL9 delivers up to 3,000 pounds of payload and a range of up to 1,100 nautical miles, with in-flight battery recharging that eliminates the need for ground charging stations. The ability to operate from compact spaces and unimproved surfaces such as grass fields, parking lots, and repurposed heliports opens new routes and economic opportunities, making regional air mobility for passengers and cargo more affordable and accessible than ever before.

“Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short is a game-changing aircraft that unlocks important new capabilities for commercial and defense users,” said Jay Park. “The EL9 is the flagship of Electra’s future family of aircraft that will transform aviation with hybrid-electric technology. We are excited to partner with Marc, John and the team in their commitment to innovating and expanding air mobility solutions.”

Lockheed Martin Ventures (NYSE: LMT), Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON), and Safran (EPA: SAF) are among Electra’s strategic investors along with Prysm Capital, Statkraft Ventures, the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), and other private investors.

Electra has grown to roughly 80 employees and established its position as the first mover and category creator in Ultra Short aviation.

About Electra

Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra) is an advanced aerospace company building hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft that achieve never-before performance advantages to fly people and cargo seamlessly without airports, emissions, or noise. With the Ultra Short, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, the next level of connectivity that brings air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Electra’s Ultra Short technology delivers 2.5X the payload and 10X longer range with 70% lower operating costs than helicopters and eVTOLs with significantly greater safety and far less certification risk.

Electra’s team includes some of the most respected and successful entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, with over 40 prior aircraft successfully developed and/or certified. Electra’s contracted customers include NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy, along with over 2,200 aircraft under Letters of Intent from 50+ commercial customers, including both airlines and helicopter operators.

The Town of Dumfries is considering forming its own Economic Development Authority (EDA), a move that town leaders say would give them more flexibility and control over how to attract, retain, and grow businesses within the town's borders.

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In one of the first major events at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters, Northern Virginia’s two newest congressmen will share insights from their first 100 days in office.

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If you’ve caught a whiff of cinnamon sugar in the air and followed your nose to a gleaming churro truck, chances are you’ve stumbled upon Noris Churros — a new local business serving up the sweet, golden treats of Mexico City right here in Northern Virginia.

The name “Noris” is a loving tribute to co-founder Nora Sanchez, who, alongside her partner Marcos Vazquez, turned a dream into a dessert-slinging reality. Their secret recipe? A mix of authenticity, patience, and just a pinch of daring.

“It’s not easy being an entrepreneur,” said Viridiana Neri, Nora’s daughter and the unofficial ambassador for the brand. “People think it’s glitz and glamour, but it’s a lot of hard work.”

The churro truck — custom-built in Mexico — was hauled across the border to Texas, where Marcos jumped into a rental truck and drove it all the way to Virginia. “My mom flew down to meet him,” Viridiana recalled with a laugh. “It was a whole adventure.”

Now six months into selling, Noris Churros is a regular sight at events, where fans line up for fresh, crispy churros made with love — and a notoriously “picky” dough. For smaller gatherings, the team offers large party boxes perfect for meetings, birthdays, or whenever you’re in need of a sugar fix.

Behind the scenes, the business got a major boost from Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) — a nonprofit based in Manassas that’s celebrating 100 years of strengthening families and communities across the region.

Through their entrepreneurial training programs, including business planning and financial education, NVFS empowers local residents like Nora and Marcos to turn their ideas into reality. “They learned everything — business plans, permits, how to grow a business,” said Viridiana. “It gave them confidence.”

Founded in 1924, NVFS provides a broad spectrum of services — from early childhood education to housing and workforce development — designed to help individuals and families become self-sufficient. Their Manassas location plays a vital role in supporting the entrepreneurial dreams of immigrants and underserved residents through accessible education and mentorship.

While Nora has dabbled in other jobs before, this venture feels different. “She’s a risk-taker,” Viridiana said proudly. “But this time, she’s put her heart into it. And Marcos? He’s been her biggest motivator.”

So what’s the secret to the perfect churro?

“Patience,” Viridiana said with a smile. “And a little love.”

A Goodwill of Greater Washington store at 8014 Sudley Road in Manassas will relocate to 8117 Sudley Road, the Westgate Plaza shopping center, across from its current location.

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