News and Events

December 2005

GWI Study of International Economy Launched – To document the economic and social impact of the region’s international business, GWI is undertaking a major study, to be released in February or March of 2006.  The study will compare Greater Washington to other major metro areas around the globe and will include interviews with public and private execs involved in international business. To help fine-tune the study’s focus, a distinguished Study Advisory Committee recently met with GWI staff.  Provide input to study

German Medical Conference Features Region’s Bioscience Industry – Greater Washington’s bioscience industry was featured at the 2005 MEDICA Conference, in Düsseldorf, Germany last month. An executive from the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health, Claire T. Driscoll, was the guest speaker at the medical conference which drew 4,000 participants from 65 countries. Dr. Driscoll’s program was sponsored by World Cities Alliance (WCA), a global association of economic development agencies that includes GWI.  More info

Fortune Features Hot Economy… Greater Washington was named “The New Capital of Commerce” in the Nov.14 edition of Fortune magazine.  While the nation’s economy may be leveling off, the Washington region is hot, due to the growing number of businesses contracting with the federal government.  Read article

And Job Growth Continues to Climb – According to a survey of major metro areas by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Greater Washington region added the most jobs in the nation during September. As reported in the Washington Business Journal, the area gained 79,400 jobs, a 2.8% increase from September 2004.  Greater Washington has experienced nearly 39 consecutive months of job growth.

New Area Business Examined – Vesta Home, a luxury home-furnishing retailer that opened a boutique in Arlington, VA, was recently spotlighted in the Washington Examiner.  GWI assisted with the firm’s move to the region and the opening of their first state-side showroom. Read Article

Alexandria, VA – To continue to involve citizens in the planning process, the city of Alexandria conducted a recent workshop on Livable Communities and Smart Growth.  The workshop provided participants an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of planning for the city’s future, as well as ways in which Alexandria can be a leader in community planning. The city has focused on four major themes through its planning initiatives: Transit Oriented Development, Creating and Preserving Neighborhoods, Strengthening our Main Streets, and Creating Urban Villages.

Anne Arundel County, MD  – Defense contractor General Dynamics will expand in Anne Arundel County's “Gold Coast” area, leasing a 62,000 sq. ft. space at the new Arundel Mills Corporate Park, across from Arundel Mills Mall.  With this expansion, the company will add 100 high tech jobs for systems engineering, software development, and systems integrations.  The new location is slated to open in early to mid-February of 2006.

Arlington, VA – Arlington experienced a very successful 2005, with nearly one million sq. ft. of office space and some 3,000 jobs retained or added. BNA, the Dept. of Homeland Security and Unisys are three examples of new or expanding organizations that brought jobs to Arlington this year. Companies in the county also received numerous awards, including recognition from the Virginia Chamber, American Business Awards, Washington Business Journal, Fast 50 and Deloitte & Touche.

Charles County, MD – John J. Reardon of Fort Collins, Colorado begins his new position as Director of the county’s Economic Development Department on Dec. 5.  For the past year, Mr. Reardon has been President and Senior Consultant for Reardon and Associates, working on economic development and business-related strategies.  With more than 30 years of experience, Mr. Reardon has served as President and CEO of the S.E. Denver/Douglas County Economic Development Council and the Eastern Boulder County Economic Development Assn.

District of Columbia – The Washington DC Economic Partnership, is the new name of the Washington DC Marketing Center. The new branding was announced at the organization’s 2005 Annual Meeting in November that honored outstanding real estate development projects in the city.  The Partnership, celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2005, also released an Annual Report featuring updated stats and real estate info.

Fairfax County, Virginia – Five South Korean IT firms opened offices in Fairfax County in the third quarter of 2005. The companies bring to 56 the number of Korea-based businesses that are located in Fairfax County. Four of the companies have offices at the Korea Business Development Center in Tysons Corner. The fifth is located at the Fairfax County BioAccelerator that the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority established in Springfield.

Frederick County, MD – MedImmune, Inc. announced that it will expand its Frederick manufacturing campus.  The $250 million building, set for completion in 2009, will be the first of four phases of expansion planned at the Frederick location.  The new building will provide two additional commercial-scale bio-reactors used to manufacture monoclonal antibodies and will include 331,000 sq. ft. of office, lab, and manufacturing space.  This first building will bring with it an additional 225 jobs.

Maryland Airport Authority – Mexicana Airlines starts daily, non-stop service from BWI to Mexico City, the premier business center in Latin America, on Dec. 2.  This daily service  provides a vital gateway between the Washington-Baltimore market and destinations across Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Also, BWI was recently awarded the 2005 Excellence in Airport Security Award by Airport Security Report for “becoming a model for improved security operations, management, and leadership."  

Montgomery County, MD – Further demonstrating Montgomery County’s reputation as an international center for business, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan welcomed three new Israeli companies that are opening their U.S. headquarters in the county. The companies, DiskSites, Camero, and Storewiz, are all technology-based firms.

Stafford, VA – According to the Virginia Employee Commission, the County led the Commonwealth of Virginia with an 11.45% jump in business growth (up to 1,928 businesses) from First Quarter 2004 through First Quarter 2005.

Area incomes among nation’s highest, The Examiner-Washington, Dec. 1, 2005
States must cooperate to lure business, The News Journal, Nov. 16, 2005
Drawing Dealers of Luxury, The Examiner-Washington, Nov. 1, 2005
Helping New Recruits, The Examiner-Washington, Oct. 27, 2005