Provided by Prince William Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee reconvened after being out of service for two years. Attendees from all over the area’s large economically-invested community were on hand. Approximately thirty gathered in person at the Prince William Chamber offices to discuss way to further strengthen Prince William’s wealth.
Committee Chairman Gary Jones, Jr., and Brendon Shaw, Director of Government Relations, led the way for an hour and a half as around thirty engaged participants riffed on Prince William’s economic state. Members included representatives from all over the area, including the Manassas Airport, Transportation Planning, and the local school system. The new version of the committee will focus on three main areas: developing greater professional connections, educating the business community on local economic development projects and issues, and initiating positive change in the region’s economic development.
The Economic Development committee was originally disbanded in favor of the Policy committee “several years ago,” according to Shaw. “Policy issues would routinely come up in the ED Committee so a Policy Committee was established to cover both ED and Policy.” Shaw goes on to explain why the committee reformed: “We received interest from a group of members in separating out the groups once more to allow members to choose one or the other areas of focus.”
Speaking about the importance of knowledge and its impact on the business community, Jones, Jr., knows it is about being on the same page. “It is important to get everyone together,” he said. “Then we can all be in the same room and really educate people about our stories.” He continued to talk about the business connections formed from the meetings. “These meetings are an important connection between small business owners and the local government.”
Mina Croson from Stonewall Title & Escrow, Inc. was on hand to discuss ALTA surveys (a type of boundary survey which requires a set of established minimums to be met by the land owner). She was the first guest speaker in the new incarnation of the committee.
Next month’s meeting will take place on Monday, May 9, again at the Prince William Chamber Offices. The Committee will not meet in June.
