MANASSAS, Va. – Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District is officially underway, thanks to a major investment from the state.
Governor Glenn Youngkin recently announced a $2.6 million grant from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative focused on strengthening regional economies and supporting high-wage industries. Local governments, businesses, and educational institutions will contribute an additional $1.3 million, bringing the total initial investment to $3.9 million.
The funding supports the launch of the Innovation District centered around George Mason University’s SciTech Campus in Prince William County and the City of Manassas. The 3,800-acre district is expected to accelerate growth in sectors like life sciences, aerospace, defense, and semiconductors while helping residents build careers without leaving the region.
According to a 2024 concept plan, the Innovation District will serve as a connector between local jurisdictions, research institutions, and private industry. “Serving as a catalyst, convener, connector, communicator and capacity-builder, the Innovation District will be a destination for ambitious minds to fuel lasting economic growth,” the plan states.
Vice Mayor Mark Wolfe of Manassas said the partnership between Manassas, Prince William County, and George Mason University leverages the area’s existing strengths. “We’ve got a critical mass of technology and brain power, and frankly, money, that can come together and create a technology hub that will benefit everyone,” Wolfe said.
The district will be guided by the Innovation District Committee, a public-private partnership chaired by Amy Adams, executive director of George Mason’s Institute for BioHealth Innovation. While the committee will oversee funding, marketing, and outreach, land use decisions will remain with Manassas and Prince William County.
Several programs will roll out over the next 18 months, including a Fall 2025 launch of an International Life Science Soft Landing Program to attract global startups, a corporate mentorship initiative for senior engineering students, and a Winter 2026 launch of a Life Science Certificate Program and Young Professionals Network.
Founding partners include George Mason University, the City of Manassas Department of Economic Development, Prince William County, and private firms such as Micron, ATCC, and Employment Enterprises. Dominion Energy, IMEG, and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce are also backing the effort as SciTech Innovators.
The funding will also help pay for staffing, marketing, and accelerator programming to support start-ups and existing companies in navigating regulatory pathways, building strategic plans, and connecting with investors.
“The Innovation District will connect education, research, and industry,” Adams said. “It gives students and employers new ways to create real-world impact.”
MANASSAS, Va. – Senator Mark Warner visited the City of Manassas on Thursday, June 12, 2025, where he joined Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, Vice Mayor Mark Wolfe, and City Council Members Ashley Hutson and Ralph Smith for a tour of RapidFlight, the city’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer. The visit highlighted RapidFlight’s role in national defense innovation and the city’s growing importance in advanced technology manufacturing.
The same day, Micron Technology, Inc. announced a major national investment plan totaling approximately $200 billion, including $150 billion in domestic memory manufacturing and $50 billion in research and development. The plan includes an expansion and modernization of Micron’s existing facility in Manassas, supported by a $275 million CHIPS Act direct funding award. Work at the Manassas site is expected to begin this year.
According to a press release shared by the City of Manassas to social media, Mayor Davis-Younger said Micron’s expansion represents more than an economic milestone, calling it a testament to the city’s partnership with the company and their shared vision for the future. She expressed gratitude for the investment, noting that it brings innovation, opportunity, and high-quality jobs while reinforcing Manassas as a hub for technology and long-term community benefit.
The press release also cited Micron Chairman, President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, who said the company’s memory manufacturing and R&D plans reflect its commitment to innovation and strengthening the domestic semiconductor industry. He said the $200 billion investment will help reinforce America’s technological leadership, create tens of thousands of jobs, and ensure a secure domestic supply of semiconductors. Mehrotra also acknowledged the support of President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, and other federal, state, and local partners.
Micron’s expanded production will include the onshoring of its 1-alpha DRAM chips, which are used across key sectors including automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, medical devices, and defense. Nationally, Micron plans to construct two high-volume fabs in Idaho, up to four in New York, and develop new technologies for integrating multiple memory and logic chips into one package. The company estimates these investments will generate approximately 90,000 direct and indirect jobs across the U.S.
The visit by Senator Warner to RapidFlight, which was previewed earlier this week during a virtual call between Mayor Davis-Younger and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, underscores the city’s growing profile in defense and tech sectors. During that call, the mayor emphasized the importance of showing support at such events and said she makes it a point to personally welcome visitors who are investing time in Manassas.
The announcements mark a significant week for Manassas, positioning the city at the forefront of national efforts to grow high-tech manufacturing and defense-related innovation.
Join us for an in-depth, inspiring conversation with Mayor Derrick Wood of the Town of Dumfries, Virginia’s oldest continuously chartered town. Hosted by Uriah Kiser, publisher of Potomac Local News, this live podcast dives deep into the major transformations reshaping the town—making it a destination rather than a drive-through.
đź“Ś Topics We Cover:
🏗️ Major development projects, including the closure and transformation of the landfill into The Rose Gaming Resort
🏞️ The town’s ambitious plans to reclaim and revitalize the Quantico Creek waterfront
🚧 Progress on the Route 1 (Fraley Boulevard) widening project, paving the way for a new Main Street
🍽️ What’s inside The Rose: Restaurants, off-track betting, and Dumfries’ own fine dining 1609 Steakhouse
🏨 Upcoming hotels, convention space, and community growth
🦅 A vision for ecotourism, vocational learning, and reconnecting Dumfries residents with their historic roots
🚀 The economic boom: 500+ jobs, millions in new revenue, and the potential return of iconic establishments like Tim’s Rivershore
✨ Whether you’re a Dumfries resident, local history buff, or someone interested in smart town development, this conversation is a must-watch!
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more local coverage!
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HAYMARKET, Va. – Town leaders are weighing a major redevelopment proposal that could transform the historic property at 14600 Washington Street—the former Gainesville District School building later used by PACE West—into a new residential and commercial enclave.
The concept, presented by Greystone Companies during a May 27 Town Council work session, outlines a plan to build up to 62 townhomes alongside a scaled-back commercial footprint. The 4.9-acre site is currently zoned B1 (General Commercial) and houses several businesses, including Phoenix Hospitality’s Ghosted Concepts, federal contractor QBE, and the Haymarket Islamic Center, which received approval in April 2025 to establish a permanent place of worship there.
A Shift Toward Housing
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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County Supervisors on Tuesday night approved a plan to rezone more than 60 acres of the Manassas Mall property, clearing the way for more than 1,000 new apartments, commercial storefronts, and pedestrian promenades to replace large areas of underused parking lots.
The unanimous vote allows Lionheart Capital, a Miami-based developer, to transform the site into a walkable, transit-oriented community — a project several board members described as a long-awaited catalyst for revitalization.
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MANASSAS, Va. – Prince William County leaders will consider a rezoning request on Tuesday, June 3, that could transform the aging Manassas Mall into a new urban-style community with more than 1,000 apartments and tens of thousands of square feet in new commercial space.
A developer is asking to rezone about 60.5 acres surrounding the mall—from General Business (B-1) to Mixed Use District–Urban (MXD-U). The plan includes 1,041 multifamily residential units, around 47,000 square feet of new retail and service space, structured parking, and pedestrian promenades to better connect new buildings with the existing shopping center.
Case #REZ2024-00039 covers four parcels near Rixlew Lane and Ashton Avenue, including the current Manassas Mall property at 8300 Sudley Road. County planning staff say the request aligns with the long-range plan for the area, designated as Mixed Use–Urban (MU-6) and classified as T-6—encouraging walkable, high-density development.
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According to a press release on May 8, the county's Department of Economic Development and Tourism worked with outside firms Hunden Partners and Convergence Design to better understand the supply and demand in the area, the opportunities available in the corridor and what was needed to revitalize the area to create a Small Area Plan.
"The study notes that heavy traffic on nearby major roadways creates significant visibility for potential retailers, while the growing local population ensures a strong customer base," the release states.
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MANASSAS PARK, Va. — A major residential project proposed just outside Manassas Park's borders is moving through its second round of review in Prince William County, and city leaders are taking a close look at the plan's potential impact on local roads and services.
Representatives from D.R. Horton, the developer behind the Mayfield Crossing project, and attorney Noah Klein of Venable LLP presented an updated site plan to the Manassas Park Governing Body during its April 15, 2025, meeting. The project site, approximately 20 acres located at the intersection of Manassas Drive and Signal View Drive, is nearly surrounded by Manassas Park city limits.
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The cost of Stafford County’s long-planned courthouse replacement project has increased significantly, with county officials acknowledging major changes in scope. During the March 11, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, staff presented the latest budget updates, revealing the financial impact of the courthouse expansion.
“There definitely is a project cost increase with this courthouse,” said County Administrator Bill Ashton. “This is a new full court that will be across the street. So there is a cost increase on this, but the timing looks like it should be relatively the same.”
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More than a year after the city demolished the Olde Towne Inn, efforts are underway to improve the now vacant lot in the heart of downtown Manassas. The city recently announced a $160,000 project to convert the space into a temporary parking lot, a move that comes as plans for a new hotel on the site have stalled.
The Olde Towne Inn, which stood at 9405 Main Street, was purchased by the Manassas Economic Development Authority for $5.75 million in February 2023. The motel, a downtown staple for decades, was razed in November 2023 to make way for a new hotel or mixed-use development. However, financing issues and parking constraints have complicated efforts to attract developers.
