News and Events

July 2006

All About IT: New Info Tech Industry Publication to Debut at Farnborough Air
Show – Since the aerospace industry is integrally tied to information technology, GWI will debut a new publication highlighting Greater Washington’s IT resources, new developments and major firms at the 2006 Farnborough International Air Show, scheduled July 17-23 in the UK. To promote business opportunities in the region, GWI will host four educational conferences on "Innovative Strategies for Doing Business with the U.S. Department of Defense" at the international aerospace event . Register for the conference>>  Download the overview>>  Request a hard copy>>  

It’s a Hit! Thousands Download 2006 Regional Report  – During the month of June, a record 3,100 copies of GWI’s 2006 Regional Report were downloaded, following extensive media coverage including stories in Reuters, AP and Business Journals in multiple U.S. cities. This year’s publication includes a feature article on changes in Greater Washington since 1990, as well as new data detailing our diverse workforce. Download Regional Report>>  Request a hard copy of the 2006 Regional Report>>

Welcome to New UK Representative – GWI is pleased to welcome Nicola Lewis as our new UK Business Development Representative. Nicola will focus on servicing partners in the UK and Europe as well as identifying new international prospects.  Previously, Nicola worked with the London mission to the G8 Gleneagles Summit.  She also has extensive experience with the British Embassy in Washington, DC and the British-American Chamber of Commerce in New York, NY.  Nicola can be reached at nicolalewis@bot.org or 011.44.7913.315226.

If you find these statistics interesting….

Third-Highest GRP – With a Gross Regional Product of $433.7 billion, the combined Washington-Baltimore area surpassed Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City in 2005 to become the nation's third-largest combined metropolitan economy. 

Government Turns to Business – Accounting for 79.3% of the region's employment, Greater Washington's private sector is nearly eight times larger than the region's federal employment, which represents 10.6% of regional jobs.

Top Teachers – The 2005 and 2006 winners of the "National Teacher of the Year" award teach at public schools in Greater Washington.

...Download the 2006 Regional Report for more! 
Download the 2006 Regional Report >> 

City of Alexandria, VA  – The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) recently released their first quarter 2006 Local Economic Indicators Report, a compilation of numerous national, state, and local data sources, that provides a statistical measure of the city’s economic health. Download full report >>

Anne Arundel County, MD  – In a major expansion, Corporate Office Properties Trust purchased 178 acres of land to continue development of the National Business Park, in Annapolis Junction, MD. The National Business Park, one of the county's most successful developments, is home to Northrop Grumman, L-3 Titan Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation, among other leading defense and homeland security companies. More info>>

Arlington County, VA – Local government contractors, businesses in export/import or retail industries, and firms interested in growing minority and women-based operations, are invited to attend Arlington County’s “Access to Business Success,” the Fourth Annual Multicultural Business Conference. The program is scheduled August 3 at The Westin Arlington Gateway hotel. Details>>

District of Columbia – DC will host the inaugural Capital Fringe Festival July 20-30. This new, energetic and entertaining performing arts event will take place at multiple downtown venues. Modeled after the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Capital Fringe Festival is sponsored by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Meyer Foundation and the Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID).  More info>>

Fairfax County, Virginia – Twelve Fairfax County-based companies – most of them in the technology and government contracting fields – are among the 500 largest Hispanic-owned firms in the country, according to Hispanic Business magazine. The magazine ranks the companies by revenue and features the 2006 list in its June edition.  The U.S. Census Bureau also reported that 7,302 Hispanic-owned firms operated in the county in 2002.  Details>>  Download the entire list>>

Frederick County, MD – MedImmune won approval last month to build necessary infrastructure to support the biotech company's planned $250 million expansion in the county. The project, which will add 250 jobs and include nearly 500,000 sq. ft. of development in the first phase, is expected to be completed by 2009. Read more >>

Loudoun County, VA – The Department of Economic Development recently released its 2nd Quarter 2006 Economic Review of the County , that analyzes selected national, regional, and local economic indicators.  Download full report>>

Maryland Airport Authority – BWI Airport ranked third-highest in overall passenger satisfaction among medium-size airports, according to a recently released study by J.D. Power and Associates, in association with Aviation Week magazine. The 2006 North America Airport Satisfaction Study was based on responses from more than 9,800 passengers who took a flight between January and May of 2006.  More info>>  View the full list>>

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority – A recently completed study conducted for the Airport Authority showed that National Airport and Dulles International Airport generate over $18 billion for the local economy in combined direct airport spending and associated spending in the visitor industry.  The two airports provide over 28,500 jobs.  Details>>

Prince George’s County, MD – The County’s Economic Development Corporation and the Visitors and Conference Bureau launched a new advertising campaign last month to attract businesses and tourists to Prince George’s County.  The campaign “It’s a Great Time - Building a Great County for Great People” began airing on local television stations in late June.  View video>>

Prince William County, VA – Singer Associates, an emergency vehicle and equipment provider, began construction on new corporate headquarters and emergency vehicle service center.  The three-story 38,000 sq. ft. office building, is expected to be completed by the Fall 2007.  More info>>