First, we have the finest staff of any Chamber I have ever seen. The knowledge and dedication of our staff to provide programs and services to our members is like no other. 
Secondly, our Board of Directors is a cross section of businesses in the Prince William County Greater Manassas area. Small Businesses, Large Businesses and Educational Institutions are all represented on our Board and Executive Committees. We truly have one of the finest Boards of any Chamber I have been a member of. 

Thirdly, we provide many programs and networking opportunities for our members. Our Chamber continues to strive to provide all members' value from their Chamber membership. Different businesses have different needs. Small businesses have objectives that are different than large businesses. Home-based businesses have needs that differ from regional companies based in our area. It is a challenge to try to provide all of these diverse members with programs and networking opportunities, but we do. 

Our mission statement speaks to our need to demonstrate our dedication to advancing the economic, social, cultural, and civic welfare of our community. We do this by supporting projects like the Pavilion Project and the revitalization of the Candy Factory in Old Town Manassas. "Jobs 2002," which is the largest job fair in Prince William County, helps our members find good employees and the community find good jobs. We are proud to have over 100 not-for-profit members in our Chamber and are proud to support the youth in the area with our scholarship program. As for economic development, the Chamber works very hard to assist in the support of good quality economic development for our region. Transportation is crucial. This year we will cut the ribbon on the final leg of the 234 By-Pass, but we can't stop there. Route 28 needs to be improved and the proposed 28 By-Pass needs to be placed back on the agenda as one of the most needed roads in the region. The Tri-County Connector needs to be pushed ahead, and the extension of the 234-By-Pass to Dulles must remain on the top of everyone's minds. Extending four lanes to Haymarket from Manassas on I-66 must also be a top priority as well as the new interchange in Gainesville. Transportation priorities are determined in our political process by elected officials who presumably respond to the will of the majority of their voting constituency. We must make our case with our fellow residents here in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park if we are to solve these transportation problems.

The TV Show will live on. Business and Beyond has been renewed for another season. The time and day it will be aired has changed to Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The format has also changed, but the opportunity to keep the community up to speed on what the Chamber is up to, as well as being one of the best ways for our members to get their name out to the community has not changed. I look forward to making Business and Beyond into the best that it can be.

I am excited about the Chamber more so now than ever before. Thank you for your confidence and support. It is an honor and a pleasure to serve as your president. 

Have an Absolutely Fantastic Day. 

Creston M. Owen
President

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