Occoquan District Digest - Summer 2022

OCCOQUAN DISTRICT DIGEST Community News From Supervisor Kenny Boddye Summer 2022

A message from the Supervisor

PATHWAY 2040: PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE Pathway 2040 — the process of updating the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan — invites us to move past doing things a certain way just because “that is how it has always been done.” It is an opportunity to come together to create a shared vision for our future based on our current and emerging needs and preferences, incorporating innovations and lessons learned over the years since our last Comp Plan update, crafting a framework for the policies that will make that future possible.

I have long advocated for protecting the environment, conserving publicly-accessible green space, and managing growth in a responsible way. Our current landuse policies do not do enough to meet these goals. Over the last two decades, thousands of acres of undeveloped land in Western Prince William have been consumed by large-lot residential development. Of the 73,000 acres of privatelyowned land in the rural area, just 17,000 remained undeveloped as of 2020.

Slated to be carved into hundreds of 10-acre residential lots by-right under current policies (with no ability for the Planning Commission or Supervisors to review or mitigate impacts), the clock is ticking for those 17,000 acres. Each of these homes would come with its own septic field and no provisions for public green space, contiguous wildlife corridors, or proffers for County services. The costs of this land use policy include higher greenhouse (Contd. p2)

IN THIS ISSUE... Â State Halts Stadium Authority Talks (2) Â Traffic Safety Trends, Solutions (3) Â Child Advocacy Center Opens (6) Â Animal Shelter Updates (9)

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 Rethinking Preservation Beyond Either/Or (12)

Oct. 22

Questions? Comments?

571.492.4259|OccoquanDistrict.net

COMP PLAN UPDATES: A VISION FOR OUR FUTURE emissions (from increased utility usage and drive times) and higher per capita costs for public services and infrastructure that must meet the needs of smaller populations dispersed over larger areas.

Meanwhile, Eastern Prince William and much of Mid-County is often left out of land preservation conversations altogether. Neither preservation nor smart growth should be the exclusive privilege of one side of the County or the other. In Pathway 2040, we have the chance to take a more holistic and equitable approach to both.

There are a number of research-driven shifts that could help get us there. For instance, integrating more compact development, where appropriate, could help us find the balance between a healthy housing market and environmental preservation, while also lowering the per capita cost of essential government services. It is also time for the County to examine our reliance on septic fields to manage growth in former rural areas, to include looking at the environmental impacts of a house-by-house approach to sewage management. I’d like to hear

from residents whose land remains rural as well, exploring policies that could support continued agricultural use.

While mobility is a separate chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, it underpins the success of our land use policies, connecting neighborhoods to employment, education, recreation and more, be it by road, transit, or bike and pedestrian facilities. Here too is a chance to expand our thinking, looking beyond the endless addition of lanes.

Could inter-neighborhood connectivity or changes to traffic patterns lessen pressure on main roadways? How do we prepare for autonomous vehicles?

Are we investing enough in transit?

I encourage you to visit the Pathway 2040 page for proposed updates, coverage of past public sessions, and to learn how you can get involved: pwcva. gov/department/planning-office/ pathway-to-2040. Thank you to all who joined me for a Pathway 2040 Listening Session that I held in partnership with LOCCA/PELT last month. I look forward to also hosting an in-person Pathway 2040 Town Hall with Planning staff later this year and hope that you can join in that discussion.

State Halts Football Stadium Authority Debate Thank you to everyone who contacted me about the Washington Commanders’ consideration of relocating to “The Landing at Prince William,” and to the hundreds of you who took the time to complete my survey. I support the General Assembly’s decision to halt plans for creating a stadium authority which, to my understanding, was a prerequisite for the team’s interest in our area.

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Fingerprinting services are available to PWC residents and jobseekers, by appointment. $5 for the first two cards; $5 for each additional card.

703-792-4183 pwcva.gov/fingerprinting

Building A Brighter Future, Together

MOBILITY: KEEPING PWC MOVING

Board Explores Traffic Safety Solutions Traffic accidents causing injury or death are on the rise across the nation, reversing decades of improvements in traffic safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that nearly 43K people died in crashes last year; the highest toll since 2005. Prince William County had 28 traffic fatalities last year; 10 more than the year prior.

In response to these concerning trends, Supervisor Kenny Boddye requested a Traffic Safety Work Session with the PWC Department of Transportation (PWCDOT), PWC Police Department, and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Their presentations entered on the Three Es of Traffic Safety: Education, Enforcement and Engineering.

Education: Police Lt. Shawn Peak noted that while the County’s traffic fatality rate is lower than the state average, even one death is too many, and that most of these deaths are preventable.

Efforts to promote behavioral changes can have the most impact in making

roads safer.

NHTSA reports that 45% of fatal accidents involve alcohol impairment, speeding, and/or not wearing a seatbelt.

Other leading factors are distracted driving and not adjusting to road conditions. Drivers are reminded to: Â Â Â Â Â

Buckle up Obey speed limits Don’t drive intoxicated Be attentive and well-rested Adjust to weather and road conditions

Police, VDOT, and the Department of Motor Vehicles all conduct outreach to encourage safe driving. Groups such as HOAs and schools can invite police to discuss traffic safety with them. Parents are also encouraged to model safe driving behaviors and help new drivers understand the dire consequences that can come from careless driving.

Enforcement: Enforcement also plays a critical role in traffic safety. In addition to routine monitoring, Police have a Traffic Safety Hotline for targeted

(Contd. p5)

A Welcome Sign: Traffic Calming Comes to Rolling Brook After 2 years of coordination with Rolling Brook residents and PWC Department of Transportation (PWC DOT), Supervisor Boddye was excited to visit the neighborhood’s newly-implemented traffic calming measures, which include increased fines for speeding, speed tables, and raised crosswalks. He took special note of the speed table at River Bend Way, designed to slow cars entering from Old Bridge Rd. Kudos to the residents who remained engaged in the often lengthy process of bringing improvements to a state-owned road, and to PWC DOT’s Richard Weinmann and his Traffic Safety team for their diligent work. You’ve helped to make our community safer!

Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net

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MOBILITY: KEEPING PWC MOVING

Occoquan District Transportation Updates While roads play a large role in suburban mobility, tackling traffic congestion and its environmental consequences requires an all-of-the-above approach that includes pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit, and mixed-use development. Supervisor Boddye continues to work with regional organizations, advocacy groups, and agencies at all levels of government on these fronts. Learn more: pwcva.gov/transportation.

FUNDED & RECOMMENDED PROJECTS Old Bridge Road Sidewalk (Oakwood Drive to Forest Hill Road): $1.34M (Funded) Route 123/Old Bridge Rd Intersection: $5.7M (Appropriated), $8.2M (Funded) Current funding covers project through to Final Design, and decreases amount the County must bond for Rightof-way Acquisition and Construction Prince William Pkwy/Old Bridge Rd Intersection: $33.9M (Funded) Ellicott Street Sidewalk (Occoquan Greenway Connection): $1.9M (Funded) ACTIVE PROJECTS Old Bridge Rd-Occoquan Rd Intersection Improvements: $11.5M (Appropriated) Construction Spring 2024 - Spring 2026. Realigns roadway, adds turn lane and constructs new pedestrian crosswalk to relieve congestion and improve safety.

Summit School Rd Extension: $11M (Appropriated, Fully Funded) Under design; Construction Fall 2022 - Spring 2024. Constructs access road between Summit School Rd/Telegraph Rd. Includes improvements to Telegraph.

Revised to include additional turn lane into proposed high school site. Finalizing

MOU between Prince William County Public Schools and PWC 95 Express Lane-Opitz Boulevard Ramp: $70M (Appropriated, Fully Funded) Construction Summer 2022 Summer 2024. Northbound, will provide exit onto Opitz Boulevard near Potomac Mills Mall and Sentara. Southbound, will provide access from Opitz Blvd to southbound Express Lanes. Sidewalk to be added on north side of Opitz Blvd bridge.

I-95 Southbound Auxiliary Lane: $32M (Appropriated, Fully Funded) Completion Fall 2022. Under construction—pilings, drainage, and sound wall work ongoing.

BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS Old Bridge Road Sidewalk (Tackett’s Mill to Minnieville Road/ 950 ft of new sidewalk): Construction March 2022 - May 2022 (Complete) Mill Street Pedestrian Improvements (Crosswalks and ADA Ramps): Construction March 2022 - May 2022 (Complete) Old Bridge Road Sidewalk (Oakwood to Forest Hills): $1.62M (Appropriated) 60% design plans submitted to VDOT March 2022.

Construction advertisement anticipated Fall 2022/Winter 2023.

Note: All project timelines are approximate.

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Building A Brighter Future, Together

Bi-County Parkway Removed From Comprehensive Plan

OmniRide Ridership Up 50% From Feb. 2020 Numbers

With redistricting, the Occoquan Magisterial District welcomed new constituents from the 234 corridor, many of whom have long expressed concerns about proposals for a Bi-County Parkway — something we discussed during my Digital Gateway CPA Listening Session earlier this year. While we need to find ways to keep people, goods, and services moving efficiently and safely in Prince William, it is clear that this particular project is not welcome.

Ridership for OmniRide, Prince William’s bus service provider is rebounding from the pandemic.

With this in mind, I joined my colleagues in voting to remove the Bi-County Parkway from the Comprehensive Plan. I will continue to support mobility projects with clear benefits to quality of life and commerce, and for more walkable communities and workforce housing built along transit nodes and job centers such as the Healthcare Hub between Minnieville Road and Opitz Boulevard.

Average commuter daily ridership for May 2022 was up 50% from Feb. 2020 (the last full month before pandemic closures) and Express daily ridership is steadily climbing upwards: "Ridership continues to rebound because we have a nationally essential workforce [in Prince William]," said OmniRide Executive Director Bob Schneider. "Our emphasis of safety ... makes us an outstanding option for travel."

Board Discusses Traffic Safety Contd. from p3 enforcement in areas with continued violations: pwcva.gov/trafficsafety or 703-792-5919.

in bolstering traffic safety includes:

Engineering: Engineering elements such as road diets (reduced travel lanes), speed tables, and raised crosswalks, can be integrated into a traffic calming plan.

To be considered for such measures, a road must meet criteria set by VDOT.

 Advocating for local transportation and traffic safety needs  Determining whether a road meets VDOT traffic-calming criteria  Developing a traffic calming plan for VDOT consideration  Managing execution of VDOTapproved traffic-calming plans

Most roads in the County are owned and maintained privately or by VDOT, which sets the standards for its roadways.

Under this arrangement, PWCDOT’s role

The work session was part of ongoing efforts to make our roadways safer. Visit occoq.org/pwc.trafficsafety to learn more.

Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net

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STRENGTHENING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

Child Advocacy Center Now Open This spring, Prince William County opened its first Child Advocacy Center (CAC), offering a child-friendly, traumainformed approach to working with children who may be experiencing abuse. Here, investigations are conducted using methods designed to not re-traumatize the child. The facility itself, co-located with other social services in the Ferlazzo Building, is designed to put families at ease, and has child-friendly touches.

exams, therapy, courtroom preparation, and victim advocacy.

“I am proud that my colleagues and I prioritized this project in the FY 2022 Budget, and I am deeply appreciative of our social services staff who worked tirelessly to make this much-needed service model a reality so quickly,” said Supervisor Kenny Boddye. “The CAC team is dedicated to finding the truth while minimizing trauma for children, making both their emotional wellbeing and physical safety top priorities.”

If the abuse allegations prove credible, CAC staff take a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to protecting the child, coordinating with other agencies as needed. Services may include case management, medical

If you suspect child abuse, call: PWC Social Services 703-792-4200 (TTY: 711) - M-F, 8am - 4pm: PWC Police Non-emergency 703-792-6500 (TTY: 711)

County Students Prep for Careers in Aviation Maintenance Almost 30 students at Woodbridge and Unity Reed senior high schools are being prepared for careers in Aviation Maintenance. This Career and Technical Education course is taught by Scott Kenney, a program coordinator with the Aviation Institute of Maintenance. Within 5 to 7 years, these students could be earning six figures, and the skill is in high demand.

"Because of [reduced business during] COVID, a lot of the technicians who were working for the airlines were given early retirement," said Kenney, adding that there is a projected need for "300,000 aviation mechanics worldwide by 2025."

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Building A Brighter Future, Together

In the Works: 24/7 Crisis Recieving Center Earlier this year, the Board of County Supervisors allocated $3.2M towards developing a Crisis Receiving Center (CRC). Thanks to a budget amendment authored by Del. Elizabeth Guzman, the General Assembly committed an additional $2.5M to the project.

The need for this 24-hour facility is immense: in Prince William, approximately 43% of adults and 70% of youth under temporary detention orders were sent outside of Northern Virginia for treatment in 2020.

Crucially, police officers will be able to bring residents placed under emergency protective orders to the CRC, for faster care and possible diversion from emergency psychiatric hospitalization.

“Neither our hospitals nor our police are equipped for dealing with these urgent mental health needs, but there has been nowhere else to turn,” said Supervisor

Kenny Boddye.

PWC Community Services Director Lisa Madron said people in need of immediate mental health care may spend hours or even days waiting in emergency rooms until a treatment facility bed opens: “You’re in a gown, on a gurney, handcuffed to the gurney.”

“Thank you to my colleague, Supervisor Bailey, for championing this cause — one that is near and dear to my own heart — and to everybody who advocated for the CRC, often bravely sharing very personal stories to bring about change.”

Mental Health Resource List PWC Behavioral Health 703-792-4900 ACTS Helpline 703-368-4141 NAMI Helpline 1-888-486-8264 GPW Health Center 703-680-7950 Trillium Center 703-763-3865

Mental Health Matters: Prince William County’s FY23 Budget includes $2.3M in new funding for Community Services such as staffing to support case management, clinical behavioral health programs, and youth mental health services.

Counterfeit Pills With Real Consequences PWC Police attributed the deaths of several young people to counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. As officers work to get these drugs off our streets, the County’s Community Services team is also developing a fentanyl test strip program. Please alert any teens or young adults in your life, as they are more likely to be in situations where these pills may be available. Awareness can save lives.

dea lab testing reveals that

4 OUT OF EVERY 10 PILLS WITH FENTANYL CONTAIN A POTENTIALLY

LETHAL DOSE Learn More: dea.gov/onepill

Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net

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STRENGTHENING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

County’s 1st Pride Event Welcomes All

Scores of people gathered outside the McCoart Building for Prince William County’s first Pride Celebration, for camaraderie, music, food, government resources and local LGBTQIA+ organizations.

Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye noted that these types of events can be lifesaving. The CDC reports that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. These young people are not “inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society,” explains The Trevor Project.

Sadly, we saw this type of stigmatization right from our dais on June 7, as the Coles

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and Brentsville Supervisors derided the Pride proclamation, using homophobic and transphobic tropes in the process.

Each of us can rise up as an antidote to those who seek to marginalize members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Trevor Project notes that “having at least one accepting adult [in their lives] can reduce the risk of a suicide attempt among LGBTQ young people by 40%,” sharing several protective factors: Social support and acceptance, affirming spaces and activities, and policies that support transgender and nonbinary youth.

I hope you will join me in ensuring that our LGBTQ+ neighbors know that they are welcomed and celebrated members of the Prince William community.

Learn more: thetrevorproject.org

Building A Brighter Future, Together

Thoroughfare Land Purchase Part of County Efforts to Preserve Black & Native History In early 2021, the Board of Supervisors was approached with concerns about protecting cemeteries from development in the historical community of Thoroughfare. Supervisors quickly directed staff to develop a preservation plan. By Dec. 2021, the Board had approved the purchase of the roughly five acres that make up the Fletcher Allen and Potter’s Field cemeteries. The area will serve as an interpretive historical park, honoring the formerly enslaved peoples who built a thriving farming community there following the Civil War.

historical sites, particularly those with ties to Black and Native history. These include the creation of a new Historic Communities program, designed to study, interpret, and preserve culturally significant enclaves throughout the county.

This land acquisition was one of several actions initiated by the Board to preserve the cemeteries and to improve the County’s ability to safeguard other

The public is invited to learn more, and provide input into next steps, by visiting b.link/thoroughfare. An opening date for the interpretative area is not yet set.

Leading up to the land purchase, the Board had allocated funds to survey the area around the cemeteries, update its cemetery database, collect oral histories from Thoroughfare residents, and conduct an archeological and architectural survey of Thoroughfare and The Settlement.

Positive trends continue at the Animal Shelter, which went from an annual save rate of 70% in 2016 to 91% in 2021. Anthony Cleveland, animal control division chief since 2018, gives much of credit to the volunteer and foster program launched in 2019.

Volunteer hours are equal to 9 full time employees.

Still, there is always a need for more help with admin, kennel cleaning, dog walking, and fostering.

Learn more: occoq.org/ animalshelter.volunteer.

Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net

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CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

Updates from the Office of Sustainability When the Board of County Supervisors adopted the Climate and Resiliency goals put forth by Supervisor Kenny Boddye in Nov. 2020 (5-3 vote), they set the stage for the creation of the County’s first Community Energy and Sustainability Master Plan (CESMP) and Office of Sustainability. The office is led

by Giulia Manno, who has 10 years of experience in supporting large institutions and communities in reducing their environmental footprint, and a passion for working with frontline communities and consensus building.

The plan will create a roadmap for the County to meet goals such as reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and transitioning government facilities to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

Since taking on her new role in March, Manno has met with community stakeholders, selected a consultant to guide the Master Plan process, made recommendations for integrating sustainability goals into the new Comp Plan, and stood up the Sustainability Commission.

In May, the commission elected Occoquan District appointee J. Randall Freed as Chair and Elizabeth Ward as Vice Chair.

The group also established bylaws and a meeting schedule. Learn more: pwcva.gov/department/sustainability

Regional Climate Plan mwcog.org/environment/planning-areas/climate-and-energy/

Grant for Microtransit Service Would Enable OmniRide to Increase Efficiency, Reduce Emissions, and Increase Transit Equity PRTC/OmniRide is pursuing two Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) grants PRTC/OmniRide to introduce electric vehicles to its fleet and enable the addition of paratransit and Microtransit services, a more flexible system using smaller vehicles on lesser-used routes. It would initially be introduced on Route 68 in Manassas Park, replacing an under-utilized fixed route system that currently relies on a 40’ diesel transit bus. OmniRide would reallocate the resources saved by this change to double the frequency on Route 65, which operates between downtown Manassas and NOVAManassas, and has the highest ridership in the western service area.

Having a flexible Microtransit area utilizing electric vehicles in addition to increasing the frequency of a route with higher ridership would provide opportunities to enhance transit equity, grow ridership, right-size local bus service, introduce electric vehicles to the PRTC fleet, and improve air quality for residents of Greater Prince William. Visit omniride.com to learn more.

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Building A Brighter Future, Together

DEVELOPING OUR FUTURE

Board Approves Affordable Housing for Seniors With home prices soaring for owners and renters alike, and not enough supply to keep up with demand, Park Landing is an example of how Prince William officials and developers can work together to meet a vital community need. Located at the intersection of Golansky Boulevard and Noble Pond Way, this 250-unit complex of “infill development” will put quality, affordable housing in reach of hundreds of older adults.

In June, the average monthly rent for a two bedroom apartment in Woodbridge is $2,250; up 7 percent from May, and a 19 percent increase from the same period last year. (Source: Zumper.com) Operating under a federal tax credit program, Park Landing will offer below-market rates and be restricted to people age 55+ who make no more than 60 percent of the area median income (AMI) — $54,180 for one person, $61,920 for two, and $69,660 for three.

Prince William County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) funding was critical to making this project possible,

providing the developer with access to lower-cost capital. Michael Graff, IDA legal counsel, explained that no county funds are involved in this process and that the bonds are to be repaid solely by the developer.

The Board unanimously approved the Park Landing rezoning in Fall 2021 and voiced support for IDA funding. In June 2022, the Board approved the $65 million IDA bond, on a 7 to 1 vote. Despite voting in favor of the project when it came before the Board, only Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega voted against this additional and necessary measure to deliver belowmarket rate housing to seniors in our community.

“I am proud of the collaboration that allowed us to usher in one of only three below-market rate housing options in the Occoquan District,” said Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye. “This project presents one model that we can use to bring quality housing into reach for more of our residents, something we very much need.”

How Do Tax Credit Properties Support Affordable Housing? The federal low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program encourages development and preservation of affordable housing by giving developers tax credits in exchange for pricing some or all units at below-market rates to people meeting strict income caps. LIHTC is one tool for bridging the gap between affordability for renters and project viability for developers. In our County, LIHTC projects must meet the same design standards as other developments, and are one tool for creating workforce housing.

Infill Development refers to the construction of buildings on previously unused or underutilized land located within a developed area, placing development near existing amenities and infrastructure and limiting sprawl.

Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net

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DEVELOPING OUR FUTURE

Rethinking Preservation: Beyond Either/Or While there is a tendency in public discourse to position decisions as “either/or,” often solutions can be found in the balance between two sets of seemingly competing interests. The recent addition of nearly 200 acres of land, public river access, and historic sites to Dove’s Landing — making it the largest park in Prince William County’s parks portfolio — is a good example.

The additional acreage was secured when the majority of the Board of Supervisors negotiated with the developer of The Preserve at Long Branch to allow for a more dense development pattern than permitted under the Comp Plan that used less of the buildable land, in exchange for

donating the preserved acreage to the County for parkland. The approved rezoning offers much stronger preservation protections than what was allowed under by-right development.

“We have been told the only way to protect our rural areas is by carving half of our County into 10-acre estates.

Twenty years later, it is easy to see that policy does not work,” said Boddye. “If we chose to ‘do what we have always done’ with The Preserve, these 190 acres of parkland would have been closed off to public access. Instead, we are making plans for Prince William’s largest park, where our residents can hike, paddle and explore our shared history.”

Welcome to Prince William’s Newest Small Businesses

County Celebrates $17M Investment in Wet Lab Space

PWC’s Department of Development Services announced its Small Business Project Management Program supported the opening of 32 small companies in March 2022. Of these, 30 were new here, 2 expanding or relocating.

Welcome to the 8 in Occoquan District:

PWC Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Holladay Properties, held a grand opening of the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center, marking the completion of 30K sf of commercial wet lab space reflecting $17M in capital investment. This venture is the latest success in a County-led, public-private partnership that has transformed Innovation Park into a thriving life sciences corridor.

       Â

A1 Non-Medical Transportation Good Life Financial Advisors Corn Dogs by Mr. Cow Jimmy Johns Gladys Creation Key Outlet Queen of Tobacco Complex Nail & Spa

Learn more: pwcva.gov/department/ development-services 12

Four companies have already moved from the PWC Science Accelerator into the NOVA Bioscience Center: ISOThrive, iQ Genetix, SYSTAAQ Diagnostics and Virongy Biosciences.

Learn more: b.link/novabioscience

Building A Brighter Future, Together

PWC DED Program Helps Therapy Business Expand Services in the Occoquan District Thanks to the PWC Department of

Economic Development’s (PWC DED) Small Business Technical Assistance Program (SBTAP) Tots to Teens Therapy Services turned pandemic-related challenges into strengths, enabling the company to expand into new offices in The Shops at County Center, in the Occoquan District.

Jennifer Ruckner and Patti Minicucci co-founded Tots to Teens in 2008, with a Prince William County Public Schools contract for early intervention speech therapy and now serves 200+ families.

When the company’s growth was disrupted by COVID-19, Rucker turned to SBTAP. SBTAP was one of several innovative CARES Act-funded programs created

by the PWC DED to help companies thrive in the face of a changed economic environment. It connected companies with Mason Small Business Development Center counselors who helped Ruckner identify the need to meet HIPAA regulations as she expanded teletherapy services.

SBTAP then provided funding to hire a consultant to also ensure that all teletherapy services were compliant with insurer regulations.

“We have been advocates for teletherapy in Virginia for some time, but COVID-19 sped up the acceptance process,” says Ruckner. “Opening our new center allows us to bring on more therapists and to serve more children.

It’s very rewarding to fill this huge need here in Prince William.”

County Welcomes 29 New Police Officers

Congratulations, and thank you, to the 29 graduates of the Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 50th Session. To prepare for becoming sworn officers, the graduates completed a 24-week course of training in all aspects of police work, including use-of-force decision making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques, criminal investigation, and crash investigation. Learn more about these new officers: pwcva.gov/news/police-basicrecruit-school-session-50-graduates

The $33.8M in new Public Safety funding approved by the Board majority includes:  More uniformed officers in the community  Additional staff that will enable the Commonwealth Attorney’s office to continue to prosecute misdemeanors such as DUI and domestic violence cases  Firefighter apparatus replacements, equipment upgrades, and station improvements Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS JOIN US FOR BARKTOBER A celebration of all things animal-related! Supervisor Boddye is partnering with the PWC Animal Shelter and local organizations dedicated to animal welfare for a day full of furry fun, with pet photo booth (costumes encouraged!), pet-related vendors, pet adoption, & more.

Oct. 22 | Time & Location TBD |occoq.org/barktober

Mark Your Calendar Tackett’s Mill Farmers Market Tuesdays | 2:30-6:30pm Prince William Farmer’s Market Thursdays | 3-7pm | Pfitzner Stadium Music on the Mill Concerts Aug. 6, 20 | 7-9pm | River Mill Park

Get Connected!  Visit OccoquanDistrict.net for local news & events  Connect with the Supervisor’s team and community at Occoq.org/fb

The Good News Community Kitchen Volunteer Orientation Aug. 10 | 7-8pm | TGNCK

 Follow instagram.com/ occoquandistrict

PW County Fair Aug. 12-20 | PWC Fairgrounds

 Sign up for email updates at Occoq.org/email

Occoquan Duck Splash Aug. 14 | 11am | Occoquan Waterfront

 Get pwcgov.org/alerts

Details: OccoquanDistrict.net/events or VisitPWC.com/events

Options for Reporting Crimes & Suspiscious Activity

Joined PE Teacher Ms. Khodjibaev in greeting Antietam ES students on Walk Online PWCVA.GOV/DEPARTMENT/POLICE to School Day, encouraging this healthy habit that is good for the environment.

• File a Report: Matters that • Report Suspicious Activity: • Submit a Crime Tip: Give tips do not need police follow-up; requires identifying info from person filing • Police Records & Reports: Request report that is part of ongoing investigation

Doesn’t require identifying info from person filing • Traffic or Neighborhood Monitoring: Request PD patrols due to increased speeding, etc.

on unsolved crimes for which PD has requested help from the public • Vehicle Compliance: Alert Finance Department to possible tax violations

By Phone • Emergencies: 911

• Parking Enforcement: 703-792-8536

• Non-emergency: 703-792-6500

• Traffic Safety Hotline: 703-792-5919

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Building A Brighter Future, Together

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Staying Connected in the Occoquan District We have put together highlights of some of the events that bring our community together to commemorate, celebrate, and contribute.

RiverFest was a great chance to talk to the community about sustainability efforts in PWC.

Cutting the ribbon for Harbor Drive Wellness Park, featuring the County’s first universally-accessible playground.

Greeting Antietam ES students with PE teacher Ms. Khodjibaev on Walk to School Day, encouraging this healthy habit.

Honoring our fallen law enforcement officers.

The County’s Memorial Day Service was humbling and inspirational.

We invited B-thrifty to Dumpster Day, filling half of their truck with too-good-to-waste items. Public Works collected 3,620lbs of trash + 700lbs of metal for recycling.

Building community and breaking down barriers at the PWC 5K Walk for Mental Health Awareness.

The public attends a hearing on Occoquan/Old Bridge Rd intersection improvements.

Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net

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Occoquan District Office 2241-K Tackett’s Mill Drive Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

571.492.4259 | OccoquanDistrict.net

Community News From Supervisor Kenny Boddye

OCCOQUAN DISTRICT DIGEST