This summer, the Flory Center is hosting a free conference series beginning May 6 to address the most common questions and concerns of small business owners. Flory Center is located on Sudley Manor Drive across from Pat White/Ben Lomond Community Center. Registration required.

Keynote speaker Dr. Terry Clower, Director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, will present a targeted analysis of how the Prince William region's efforts in economic development stack up against the rest of the region.

Governor Terry McAuliffe and other Virginia officials are on a weeklong trade and marketing mission to attend Hannover Messe in Germany, the world's largest industrial fair, and conduct 40+ meetings there, in Belgium and the United Kingdom to bring new jobs and economic activity to the state.

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced April 15 that Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percent in March and is now at 4.0 percent—the lowest rate since the June 2008 rate of 3.9 percent. Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains below the national rate, which increased in March to 5.0 percent.

Women make up 24 percent of the workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and that is a statistic Benton Middle School aims to change.

On Saturday, April 16 the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will host a “Financial Fortitude Workshop” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the conference room of the Prince William Association of Realtors Building, 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue, Woodbridge, VA. Two financial professionals will shares strategies and tips on banking, credit, insurance coverage, student loan debt, debt forgiveness and retirement, followed by a question and answer session.

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced March 28 that Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, a global health care leader, will invest $168 million to expand its manufacturing operation near the Town of Elkton in Rockingham County.

Stanley Martin Homes wants to build 350 to 400 homes on the eastern part of the tract and secure a partner to design the remaining part of the site for commercial purposes. Plans could include an entrance to the parkway across from Hynson Drive and another on the parkway extension. Both entrances would be controlled by traffic signals.