News and Events

June 2005

2005 Regional Report and Annual Meeting Speakers Focus on Higher Education
Did you know that Greater Washington has nearly as many full-time higher ed students (328,000) as federal workers? Nearly 150 local business execs and elected officials learned this fact and more at GWI’s Annual Meeting on June 20. A panel of university presidents engaged the audience in a discussion of ways that businesses can better leverage the area’s 50+ colleges and universities. At the meeting, GWI released its 2005 Greater Washington Regional Report, which highlights the “business of higher education,” and compares the region to 10 competitive U.S. markets. This year’s Report reaffirms Greater Washington as a national leader in job creation. Read press release. Download Report at www.greaterwashington.org. For print copies, email greaterwashingtoninitiative@bot.org

A Smooth Summer Transition: Tim Priest is Interim Managing Partner of GWI
Tim Priest, formerly GWI’s Vice President, Business Development, now serves as Interim Managing Partner of the organization. (On June 20, former Managing Partner Tom Morr began his new position as President of Select Greater Philadelphia, a business marketing organization based in Philadelphia, PA.) With expertise in economic development marketing and research, Tim has been with GWI since 1998. Contact Tim

Mary Frangakis Clark Hired as Executive Director of World Cities Alliance
The World Cities Alliance (WCA), a new international alliance of economic development organizations, recently announced its first Executive Director, Mary Frangakis Clark. Clark, who speaks five languages, has 20 years of experience in international business and brand management. She will direct the day-to-day activities of the group, and recruit new cities. GWI is a founding member of WCA. More about WCA  Contact Mary Clark

Anne Arundel County, MD - Four new companies have joined the Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC), Anne Arundel County’s business incubator that focuses on Homeland Security. The addition of these businesses brings the total to 16 member companies that reside within the CIC. GWI assisted one of the new firms, BeCrypt, with strategic support and advice in helping to establishing its U.S. business. Read more

Arlington County, VA - Arlington County and the Washington Capitals hockey team hosted an "ice-breaking" ceremony to mark the construction of the team's new training facilities and community recreation center. The facility will provide ice-time daily throughout the year for youth and amateur hockey and figure skating groups. Read more

BWI Airport, MD - Mexicana, the largest airline in Mexico, will begin daily non-stop service to BWI Airport in December. The annual economic impact from this new international service is projected at more than $54 million. The airline flies to 50+ destinations in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Details

Calvert County, MD - The MD Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) will invest $2.2 million in the Patuxent Business Park for infrastructure improvements, including sewer, utilities, roads, and storm water management. Previously, DBED invested $2 million investment in the project for land acquisition, initial site engineering and improvements. Details

Charles County, MD - Effective July 1, 2005, the Charles County Economic Development Commission will become a county government department and will relocate to new offices in downtown La Plata, MD. Economic development activities continue, including the recent completion of a new video promoting Charles County. The organization is currently operating as a private, non-profit corporation. For more info, call 301-934-7633.

City of Falls Church, VA - Recently, ground was broken on Pearson Square, a 434,000 sq. ft. mixed-use development on 4.7 acres at 500 S. Maple Avenue in Falls Church. Pearson Square will contain 230 residential condominiums, retail space, and arts “flex space.” The project also includes an 85,000 sq. ft. office building, representing the largest new office development in the city in nearly 20 years. See photos

District of Columbia - The Washington, DC Marketing Center will release Doing Business in Washington, DC, an updated reference guide for companies looking to locate to the District. The guide will debut at an event co-hosted by the Center on July 14, “Navigating the Local Business Resources: How to Utilize Business Services in DC.” The half-day seminar features panelists discussing incentives, access to capital and the regulatory process. For event info, call 202-347-7201.

Fairfax County, VA - The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) kicked off the IIT2005 Conference for graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) with the signing of a collaboration agreement (the Fairfax County Educational Accords) between IIT-Kharagpur and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The agreement outlines the exchange and collaboration of research, faculty and students between the two institutions. More info

Howard County, MD - CoStar Group, the nation's leading provider of electronic commercial real estate information, has expanded its presence in the region, leasing 33,000 sq. ft. at the Crestpointe Corporate Center in Columbia Gateway. CoStar is currently hiring and training 150 new employees. Details

Loudoun County, VA - The Loudoun County Design Cabinet, a volunteer group of architects, designers and community members, continues efforts to encourage high quality urban, architectural and landscape design. Earlier this year, the Cabinet instituted "Signatures of Loudoun" to recognize quality projects. Among the nine winning projects were: Washington Dulles International Airport Terminal, the Red Barn at Peacock Farm, and The Mighty Midget Kitchen in Leesburg. Read more

Montgomery County, MD - Montgomery County’s advanced technology sector continues to grow with the addition of several notable companies including: Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Acambis, Xceleron and Proxy Aviation. These and other firms that recently opened offices in the County will eventually lease or own over 100,000 sq. ft. of space and create more than 300 new advanced technology jobs. Details

Morr named president of Select Greater Philadelphia; Philadelphia Business Journal and Washington Business Journal, May 11, 2005

He'd Rather Be In Philadelphia; The Washington Post, May 16, 2005

Report: Greater Washington's economy continues to grow; Washington Business Journal, June 15, 2005

BeCrypt opens US office to provide encryption products to the North American market; Security Park, June 16, 2005

Washington Kept Booming in 2004;  The Washington Post, June 21, 2005