In a rousing 2025 State of the Town Address that had residents and dignitaries on their feet, Mayor Derrick Wood proclaimed a new era for Virginia’s oldest Town: one rooted in vision, powered by partnerships, and fueled by measurable progress. America’s oldest Town declares victory over decades of being bypassed, unveils bold future that will put it on every map.

“For too long, we were the Town people knew only as an exit sign,” said Mayor Wood. “Tonight, I’m here to tell you: Dumfries is no longer overlooked. Dumfries is becoming unforgettable.”
That message capped off a decade-long transformation journey that has turned Dumfries—a 1.5 square-mile town with colonial roots—into a rising star of regional development and innovation. From a closed landfill turned public park, to a $500 million resort partnership with Churchill Downs, Dumfries is reclaiming its purpose and leading the way for what small Towns can achieve.
From Forgettable to Unforgettable: The Numbers Tell the Story
Dumfries’ rise is being documented in both outcomes and opportunity:
Unforgettable Economics
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$500 million private investment in The Rose Gaming Resort
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500 new jobs created (333 jobs per square mile)
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Town gaming tax revenue expected to double in 2026
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First clean municipal audit in decades
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Triple Crown Budget Award nomination

Unforgettable Efficiency
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Landfill closed 10 years ahead of schedule.
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$8 million saved through strategic acquisition of Town Hall vs. new construction.
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Police Department fully staffed and pursuing VLEPSC national accreditation.
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Town preparing for first-ever municipal bond rating.

Unforgettable Vision
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2044 Destination Dumfries Comprehensive Plan unveiled.
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Redevelopment of Main Street and Waterfront districts underway.
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Overlook Park (80 acres of reclaimed green space) opening Fall 2025.
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Launch of Dumfries Youth Council to empower next-generation civic leaders.

“We Stopped Apologizing and Started Celebrating”

Mayor Wood shared the Town’s evolution with both candor and pride.

“When I joined the Town Council in 2012, people were apologizing to visitors about the smell from the landfill,” he said. “Now, people are asking when they can come back to try our 40oz tomahawk steak or attend our next waterfront festival.”

His signature mix of humor and vision resonated throughout the evening as he outlined a town no longer weighed down by its past.

Three Pillars of an Unforgettable Future

Mayor Wood attributed the Town’s progress to a focused strategy:
Progress Tangible wins in infrastructure, public finance, public safety, and strategic planning.
Partnerships Key alliances with Churchill Downs, Delegate Luke Torian (Chair, House Appropriations), Congressman Eugene Vindman, and other regional leaders.

Possibilities Major redevelopment plans, new public spaces, a walkable town center, and civic engagement initiatives that position Dumfries as a 21st-century destination rooted in 18th-century heritage.
Making History While Honoring Heritage

Founded in 1749 as a Scottish tobacco port along Quantico Creek, Dumfries is reclaiming its legacy as a hub of connection and commerce. With bold leadership and community-driven planning, the town is writing a new chapter in American small-town transformation.

“Our founders understood what we are rediscovering now,” said Wood. “Dumfries was always meant to be a place people come to—not just through.” That rediscovery continues today. From reclaiming its historic identity to investing in the future through policy, partnership, and people, Dumfries is charting a course that cities across America are beginning to notice.