Didlake, Inc. Named 2020 Manassas Business of the Year

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Source: City of Manassas Economic Development Office

Didlake Employees and City of Manassas City Council Members pictured with Business Award for 2020
Pictured top to bottom, left to right: Curt Salter, City Council Member Ralph J. Smith, Steve Fuhrman, Erik Smith, City Council Member Michelle Davis-Younger, Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky, City Council Member Theresa Coates Ellis, Mike Payne, Rachel Payne, Didlake Board Chair Pamela Moody, Erika Spalding, Mayor Hal Parrish, and Valerie Spencer.

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.”