Arlington Celebrates Winning Year of Attracting, Retaining Businesses

• 53 deals in FY 2016 adding or keeping businesses in County
• More than 4,200 jobs
• Almost 2 million square feet of office space

Arlington businesses grew over the past fiscal year, with the County showing strong results in attracting and retaining companies.

Arlington Economic Development reports that its new marketing efforts and strategically targeted resources netted 53 new business or business retention deals in Fiscal Year 2016. Those deals represent nearly 2 million square feet of office space and the creation or retention of more than 4,200 jobs. In Fiscal Year 2015, the County closed 35 such deals, representing nearly 1.2 million square feet of office space.

County Manager Mark Schwartz, who has made economic development his top priority, calls the new numbers “an encouraging sign that our ‘all-hands-on-deck’ effort is working to fill office vacancies with vibrant businesses that are coming to or staying in the County. There’s more work to do but we’re clearly making progress.”

Schwartz also thanked the County Board for its commitment, through additional budget resources, to keeping and adding Arlington businesses.

New and expanding companies

Grant Thornton, Amazon Innovation Center and George Washington Medical Faculty Associates are among the larger employers attracted to large office spaces in Arlington. Some of the new, fast-growing technology firms putting roots down in the County are Shift, Phone2Action and Basket.

Excited to announce @Phone2Action will bring 142 new jobs to @ArlingtonVA and the Commonwealth of VA #NewVAEconomy pic.twitter.com/Cs6bhCXFRn

— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) July 7, 2016

Established businesses that have seen the benefits of calling Arlington “home” include Opower and Sands Capital Management.

We’re thrilled to announce the expansion of Opower HQ in Arlington County. Great to see you again, @GovernorVA! pic.twitter.com/eQIDZUvkQT

— Opower (@Opower) February 9, 2016

Businesses that have expanded in Arlington include Bytecubed and Snagajob.

“This year’s success in business investment is very telling in terms of the kinds of businesses that have chosen Arlington as their home,” AED Director Victor Hoskins said. “It’s truly representative of Arlington’s shift into a technology and professional services hub.”

The successes are all part of Arlington’s “Way Forward” strategy of focusing on working with regional partners, proactive marketing, providing strategic incentives and offering key infrastructure improvements to prospective businesses. That approach is setting Arlington apart from other regions in terms of providing its business community with the resources and tools it needs to grow for the future.

Arlington Economic Development

Arlington Economic Development, part of Arlington County Government, is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of an economically competitive and sustainable community, and the creation of exciting, diverse and amenity-rich places. AED provides visionary leadership and superior services to Arlington’s business and arts community, its tourism industry and its real estate development.

This week AED was recognized with a Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Achievement Award for its innovative Startup Arlington competition. The contest challenges tech companies to make their pitch for 3-months of free office and living space, plus legal advice and mentoring, in the County. The winning business, Montana-based Oppleo, a cyber security firm, relocated to Arlington last November and is still in the area.

Media Contact

Cara O’Donnell, 703-228-0854

View this release in our newsroom