Our Department of Development Services gave 28 businesses a ‘Certificate of Occupancy’ or official letter to ‘Open for Business’ through its Small Business Project Management Program in September 2021, bringing the 2021 total to 280 new companies now ‘Open for Business’ in Prince William County.
During the third quarter of the calendar year, 91 small businesses opened in the County, which is up 58 from the same period in 2020. Tenant Layout Projects are at 108,297 sf so far this year; a five-fold increase compared to the same time period in previous years.
“In September, six healthcare-related service businesses opened, which is indicative of the year-long trend of healthcare or medical practices coming to Prince William County, with more than thirty opened year-to-date,” said Department of Development Services Director Wade A. Hugh.
Jammin Island BBQ joined the long list of new restaurants to the area, becoming the latest addition at ePiQ Food Hall at 14067 Noblewood Plaza in the Occoquan District. A new Subway opened on Route 1 and Blessings On-the-Go has occupied the former, long-time mom & pop grocery store at the corner of Kahns Road and Purcell Road. In the continuing lineup of beauty and spa businesses in the County, Beyond Studio moved four doors down to #133, 13895 Hedgewood Drive, Woodbridge, Queenly Nails & Day Spa located to Potomac and Tessy Hair Braiding Studio and Eyebrow Art are now located in Brentsville.
“Establishing a specialized service business in a building with no prior occupancy of ‘specialized services’ e.g., opening a veterinary practice at a former bank, provides unique circumstances that come with additional building regulations and permits. These changes in new tenant/owner occupancy types underscore the level of expertise the Program Managers are providing small business customers.” added Hugh.
As lead Development Services Agency for the County, the Department of Development Services is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code by reviewing commercial and residential construction plans, issuing permits, inspecting structures, and enforcing building code requirements. The Department also manages the site and subdivision plan review and permit issuance process, administers the posting and releasing of bonds and escrows, and issues zoning permits.
For more information log onto the new Development Services homepage at
www.pwcva.gov, email: DDS@pwcgov.org or call (703) 792-6930.