Dumfries, Virginia’s oldest continuously chartered town, celebrated its 275th anniversary in May 2024. The three-day celebration hearkened back to the Colonial era, when it rivaled major ports like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.

It’s safe to say Dumfries, spanning just over 1.5 square miles with a population approaching 6,000, won’t be confused with those destinations today. But it’s not for a lack of trying.

“We are a small community,” said Tangela Innis, Dumfries Town Manager since April 2023.

“But with our Town Council’s big vision, you’d think that we are as large as New York City.”

That’s not an accident. The local government, featuring a city council of seven members, takes its cues from the Town’s ambitious mayor, Derrick Wood. Raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, Wood recalls his summers in Brooklyn, New York, where concerts, festivals, and activities cultivated a true sense of community.

Wood, who first joined the council in 2012 and first won the mayor’s seat in 2018, wants to accomplish the same feeling in the Town of Dumfries. It’s a tall order for a town that, not too long ago, was perhaps best known for its sign along Interstate 95.

“We don’t want you to drive through Dumfries,” said Mayor Wood. “We want you to drive to Dumfries.”

Last year when the town’s past was celebrated, Dumfries made history. It is likely that 2024 will be recalled as a milestone year here – a significant reason the Town of Dumfries earned selection as runner-up in Community Playmaker’s Community of the Year competition.

Smelling Like a Rose

The biggest addition in the town’s history is The Rose Gaming Resort, giving residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. – and visitors from further away – an enticing reason to stop in Dumfries.

Wood said he pursued the casino for two primary reasons: Enhance the town’s profile within the DMV (short for District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia) region; and because of the additional benefits it brings, including the most significant convention center south of Crystal City, Virginia. Combined, Dumfries should be more appealing to live and draw more events, which leads to valuable hospitality tax revenue.

While there was some initial hesitancy from members of the community wary of a large-scale project, particularly one centered around a sin industry, Wood ultimately convinced civic leaders that the project would be transformative.

Operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated, The Rose – Northern Virginia’s largest gaming destination – celebrated its ribbon cutting in November. The impact can already be felt. 

The $460 million facility is responsible for 500 jobs and is estimated to bring in $35.5 million in revenue annually. A second tower is already planned for a future stage of the project, adding to the potential revenue stream.

“We are extremely excited to strengthen our partnership with the Town of Dumfries and we remain committed to always being a good partner in this community,” said Bobbi Sample, general manager of The Rose Gaming Resort. “We have worked with the Town on an amended proffer and a new Letter of Intent that will better position us to deliver a world-class customer experience at The Rose while also providing additional community benefits to the residents of Dumfries.”

The additional funds could double the government’s budget, allowing for the construction of a new police station and other much-needed amenities should the funds be realized.

It’s already resulted in improved roads, 100 new hotel rooms, and eight restaurants, while elevating a construction landfill into prime real estate.

“We turned this regional landfill into a landmark,” Wood proclaimed. “It gives us the opportunity to make once-in-a-lifetime infrastructure improvements.”

In addition to the 1,650 historical horse racing terminals on-site, The Rose features meeting space and a convention center – filling a need in Northern Virginia below Crystal City. Now, Dumfries can compete to bring in events that may have otherwise headed to Prince William, Fairfax, or Loudoun counties. 

Innis acknowledges that increased traffic will accompany the new interest in the Town, but highlights the significant benefits to the community from The Rose, Virginia’s first casino-sized gaming facility and the Town’s largest economic development project. Key outcomes of her negotiations include:

• $2 million for the design and construction of a new community center.
• $3.6 million to compensate for unrealized gaming tax revenues.
• Additional $800,000 from delayed opening contributions due to The Rose’s later-than-planned opening.
• A commitment to a $15 per hour minimum wage for all non-tipped positions, and collaboration with the Town to encourage local hiring.
• A binding agreement to move forward with Phase 2 of the project, which had previously been uncertain.

These outcomes emphasize the town’s ability to give back to its citizens, with live entertainment being only one of many community benefits. The site also includes 80 acres of green space, featuring a seven-acre park with a playground, dog park, and playing fields.

“The Rose has elevated Dumfries’ profile as a premier destination in the DMV region, drawing visitors, businesses, and investment,” said Wood. “Its success underscores Dumfries’ ability to balance economic growth with community needs, setting a new standard for transformative development.”