Provided by City of Manassas Department of Economic Development\
The Manassas Department of Economic Development has released its 2020 Annual Report. It shows the City rising to meet the challenge of the pandemic through resilience, creativity and teamwork and ending the year with a strong rebound well underway. In addition to a robust relief response, the City’s solid base in healthcare, manufacturing and professional technical services helped Manassas weather the pandemic with its local economy largely intact.
The report details a year that began with Manassas in a strong position with low unemployment and record high wages. When the pandemic struck in March, the City mobilized quickly, providing relief programs, support services, grants, information, and other resources to help residents and small business. A summary of that support lists small business grant programs funded through the CARES Act, marketing grants supporting 31 businesses, Historic Downtown Rent Relief Grants supporting 24 businesses, and a variety of other programs and initiatives. In total, 235 businesses received support adding up to more than $600,000. In addition, support for job seekers and employment services provided totaled $230,000.
“We did these things and much, much more without a roadmap,” said Economic Development Director Patrick Small. “We adapted, improvised and strove to overcome the challenges we faced.”
The report described 2020 as “an unforgettable year” during which “we learned to be more creative, lean on each other for support, and find unique ways to help our businesses survive … (it was) a year that challenged us, and in many ways we are better for it.” #ManassasStrongerTogether. Click here to view the Annual Report.
