News and Events

March 2006

International Firms Show Increased Interest in Doing Business with U.S. Government – Execs from 35 United Kingdom firms joined other FOSE attendees at GWI's educational sessions at FOSE 2006, the nation’s largest info tech exhibition serving the government marketplace.   GWI held 15 educational sessions focused on how to do business with the U.S. Government.  Also, a GWI reception, co-hosted with U.K. Trade and Investment, drew 200-250 attendees, including numerous firms interested in expanding into the region. More Info

GWI Welcomes New Director, North American Business Development – GWI is pleased to welcome Michael Baughman to the team as Director of North American Business Development. Previously, Michael served as a Private Banking Manager for BB&T in Greenville, S.C. and in Northern Virginia.  He has extensive experience with new business development and strategic planning.  Michael may be reached a MichaelBaughman@bot.org or 202-857-5982. Read Press Release

Did You Know? Foreign-born residents became a larger share of the Greater Washington population – increasing from 11% to 16% – between the U.S. Census counts in 1990 and 2000. A new International Economic Study, to be released at a GWI meeting on April 12, will underscore the region's growing diversity.

A Positive Pulse on Local Business…In a Business Pulse survey, conducted by Widmeyer Communications for the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Business Journal, local business execs expect strong first quarter economic trends. A majority of those surveyed see hikes in sales revenue and profit increases on the 2006 horizon:

United Airlines Strengthens Hub at Washington Dulles – This spring, United will add service to 10 domestic and nine international destinations, strengthening its commitment to the Greater Washington region. More Info

U.K. Firm Scores Key NASA Contract– A U.K.-based firm that GWI helped expand to the area in 2004 recently won a contract for $1.7 million with NASA to implement their "Active Risk Manager" program. Executives from the firm were first introduced to procurement officers from NASA at a GWI conference held last year. Read Article

Anne Arundel County, MD  – The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) announced the appointment of Joseph Timer as vice president of financial services.  Mr. Timer most recently was Vice President at City First Bank of DC where he was responsible for a range of commercial lending activities.

Arlington, VA – Albany, NY has “Arlington Envy.” In an article in the Jan. 27 Albany Times Union, business editor Marlene Kennedy cites Arlington as the model by which she would redesign the Albany/Rensselaer/Saratoga/Schenectady area, in upstate New York. The effusive article sings the County’s praises and cites Arlington’s careful planning, and mixed-use development along Metro corridors as hallmarks of its success. Read Full Story

District of Columbia – The Washington, DC Economic Partnership announced the selection of Steve Moore as its new president and CEO. Prior to his appointment, Moore served as Deputy Executive Director for the Downtown DC Business Improvement District. There, he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the marketing, event planning and retail merchandising of the 140-block area of Downtown DC extending roughly from the White House to the Capitol.

Also, in February, Bed Bath & Beyond opened its first DC store, and seven grocery stores are either under construction or planned for the city, including: Balducci’s, Safeway, three Harris Teeters, Giant, and Trader Joe’s. This level of grocery store development is a leading indicator of more residential units to come throughout the city.

Fairfax County, Virginia – Forty-five Fairfax County-based information technology companies received $296.94 million in venture capital investments in 2005, according to figures compiled by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. The 2005 total is a 51.5% increase from the $196 million invested in 32 Fairfax County companies in 2004.

Maryland Airport Authority – The concessions program at BWI Airport has been honored by Airport Revenue News with the 2006 award for Airport with the Best Concession Program.  Several individual concession operators at BWI were also recognized with awards in the annual competition that highlights top retail and food programs among North American airports. 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority – Washington Dulles International Airport will receive $200 million in federal funding to help pay for the construction of a new runway. The new runway—Dulles Airport’s fourth—is needed to accommodate current and future growth. Dulles set new records in 2005 with 27 million passengers and 509,000 flight operations. With an expected completion date of 2008, work is expected to begin on the fourth runway later this year. 

Montgomery County, MD – The County  continued to be a hot with action during the winter month of January, with eight companies expanding or relocating to the county, bringing with them 1,060 jobs and leases for 215,674 sq. ft.  The firms exemplified the diverse and innovative business community in Montgomery County;  they include satellite communications firm World Space; bioscience company Vanda Pharmaceuticals; construction company Aggregate Industries; and the American Speech Language Hearing Association. 

Gov't Too Big? Not For D.C. Office Owners
Investor's Business Daily, Feb. 17, 2006 

Capital Gains: Uncle Sam Pours Money into the Greater Washington Area
Executive Decision, Jan./Feb. 2006

Housing, Traffic Lead Local Quality-of-Life Concerns
The Washington Post, Jan. 17, 2006

A Reversal of Fortunes Transforms Washington
The Los Angeles Times, Jan. 16, 2006