FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 28, 2020
Manassas, VA — February 28, 2020
The City of Manassas announced that Didlake Inc. is this year’s recipient of the Manassas Business of the Year Award. With recently
expanded operations in Manassas, Didlake connects people with disabilities to employment, education and inclusive opportunities
throughout the National Capital Region.
The award was presented on February 27, 2020 by the City of Manassas at the 10th Annual Business Awards Dinner, hosted by the
Prince William County Chamber of Commerce to honor the best of the local business community. Last year’s Manassas Business of
the Year was Northern Virginia Community College – Manassas Campus.
Of Didlake’s 1,681 employees, 81% are people with disabilities, to whom the company annually pays $25 million in wages and
benefits. Didlake owns and operates two UPS stores, one at Innovation Park and the other in Woodbridge, and recently launched
Didlake Document Imaging in Manassas. The company has also placed more than 300 individuals with disabilities at other employers
throughout our community.
“Didlake is a shining example of how a business-led approach can help address a community’s social needs,” said Manassas Mayor
Harry J. Parrish II. “While technically operating as a not-for-profit, the company acts like a private-sector employer competing for
contracts and establishing business lines that provide meaningful job opportunities and life skills for some of our community’s most
hard-to-employ citizens.”
With innovative companies like Didlake leading the way, Manassas has emerged as an outstanding location for new, relocating and
expanding businesses. Reasons include its strategic Northern Virginia location, affordability, business-friendly policies, historic charm
and high quality of life.
“Didlake offers a hand-up, not a hand-out, and enables people with disabilities to achieve the dignity of work and self-sufficiency,”
said Mayor Parrish. We’re very proud to have them as our 2020 Manassas Business of the Year.”
About the City of Manassas Department of Economic Development
The City of Manassas fosters economic development through collaborative partnerships, sustainable fiscal management and
supportive City services. The Department of Economic Development (DED) is directly responsible for business attraction, retention,
expansion and tourism initiatives in the City. As a resourceful and collaborative organization, we work in partnership with our key
stakeholders to ensure that we have what businesses need, including a highly educated and technical workforce with access to major
universities and first-class training providers. We take an active leadership role in all that we do, serving as a community builder,
collaborator and agent of economic growth. For help with your business needs please visit: https://choosemanassas.org/ or call
703.257.8882.
– ### –