What it is

Choose Manassas is the website of the City of Manassas Economic Development office, which describes itself as providing concierge services to help businesses thrive. The City of Manassas covers 9.9 square miles near Washington, D.C. The office promotes business location, expansion and startups across target sectors including advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, healthcare, and professional and technical services.

What it offers founders

The Start Your Business page offers a City Business Start-Up Guide in English and Spanish, links to business license, BPOL tax and permit steps, and says the City provides fast-track services for permits, licensing and zoning. For existing companies, the Business Assistance Program has staff meet owners to identify needs and recommend City resources, and the office maintains commercial property listings and workforce programs.

Local incentives on the Grants and Incentives page include:

  • Economic Opportunity Fund: cash grants for new and expanding businesses to offset site acquisition, construction or renovation, permitting fees or relocation costs.
  • Fast Track Permitting: expedited review of a required permit or plan.
  • Technology Zone: covers the entire City, with possible cash grants, fee waivers and BPOL tax exemption for qualifying technology businesses.
  • Tourism Zones and Downtown Arts and Tourism District: incentives for hospitality, tourism and arts businesses in Historic Downtown and the Gateway area.

The page notes incentives are prioritized by economic impact, job creation and capital investment, and also points to state VEDP programs and the SBA HUBZone program for eligible City locations.

Partner network

The office refers founders to local partners: free one-on-one counseling from Mason SBDC, hosted at CenterFuse in Historic Downtown; People Incorporated, a Community Development Financial Institution offering financing and loan-readiness help; SCORE mentoring; the CenterFuse coworking space and accelerator; and the GEMS entrepreneur group. It also hosts a Business Appreciation Breakfast each May and publishes the Business Beat newsletter.

Who it is for

Entrepreneurs starting a business in Manassas, existing City businesses looking to expand, and companies evaluating a move to the western part of Northern Virginia. City incentives such as the Economic Opportunity Fund and Technology Zone apply to businesses located within the City.

How to engage

Use the contact page or call 703-257-8305 to discuss startup, relocation or incentive questions. The office is at 9027 Center Street, Suite 421, Manassas, VA 20110.