News and Events

September 2004

GWI Ad Campaign Advises: Sunglasses Required for Region’s “Hot” Business Climate! To encourage area residents to become “business ambassadors” for our region, the Initiative’s fall print advertising campaign kicked off last week and runs through November, with print placements in The Washington Post and The Washington Times focusing attention on Greater Washington’s “hot” business climate. The ads, which drive viewers to GWI's newly upgraded website, will also run on washingtonpost.com in selected markets outside the area. Details View online ads created by Sparky’s Garage

Gaining Global Exposure for Greater Washington: European Seminars Scheduled. In mid-October, Zurich, Switzerland and Copenhagen, Denmark will serve as the latest venues for GWI’s popular conference on “Doing Business with the World's Largest Buyer -- the U.S. Government.” Keynote speaker Frank Pugliese, Former Commissioner of the GSA’s Federal Supply Service and a DuPont executive, will discuss U.S. government procurement policy; GWI Trustees George Boggs, Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP, and Kathy Fuller, Aronson & Company, will address legal and tax issues as well as pricing strategies. An efficient and cost-effective business development strategy, these seminars are being organized with the support of local Swiss and Danish business organizations. Details

New Leadership Announced for Economic Development Committee, Tourism Alliance. During last month’s joint retreat for GWI’s Area Business Development Officials Committee (ABDOC) and the Greater Washington Tourism Alliance (GWTA), new chairs were named to lead each group. Paula Riley, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, is new Chair and Bill Badger, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, is Vice Chair. GWTA, an alliance of regional tourism officials, named Matthew Neitzey, Prince George’s County Conference and Visitors Bureau, as its new chair. Read more

Growing Businesses Here: Updated Directory Lists Supportive Venues for Entrepreneurs. GWI recently released its updated Greater Washington Incubators & Accelerators Directory 2004. Revised from a 2002 version, the online resource provides contact information for 25 incubators managed by economic development offices, local universities and private businesses. The easy-to-use directory includes facilities around the region committed to supporting and encouraging business growth among entrepreneurial companies. Read more

Anne Arundel County, MD - Earlier this year, Under Armour opened a 346,000 sq. ft. distribution and manufacturing facility in the County. The company is the originator of performance apparel that pulls perspiration away from the skin to keep athletes dry. With revenues that have skyrocketed 13,000 percent during the past five years, Under Armour was recently ranked as the second-fastest growing privately held company on the Inc. 500 list. By 2005, the facility will employ nearly 200 people.  Learn more

Arlington County, VA - Arlington 's Signature Theater recently celebrated its groundbreaking in Shirlington Village. Plans for the new theater-library complex include 200,000 sq. ft. of office space, 400 residential units, and 50,000 sq. ft. of retail space. This project serves as the anchor of a $180 million+ redevelopment project for the Shirlington community. Details Also, Adam Wasserman, Director of Arlington Economic Development, has resigned to move on to new opportunities as of Sept. 30. During his tenure, Arlington experienced accelerated growth and began several revitalization projects.

Calvert County, MD - Calvert County ranked first in the state for tourism growth in 2002, the year for which the most recent data is available. A study on the economic impact of travel on Maryland counties was prepared by the Travel Industry Association of America for the Maryland Office of Tourism Development. Despite fears of terrorism and a slow economy, Calvert County’s sales tax receipts rose 9.5 percent and local tax receipts rose 10.8 percent. Read more

City of Fairfax, VA - The Mason Enterprise Center (MEC), a joint operation of the City of Fairfax and George Mason University, launched a new venture - the International Business Accelerator. Two companies from Sweden Vasteras Technology Park will begin their American operations in the MEC. During nine years of operation 13 companies have graduated from the MEC; 10 of them currently lease space in the City of Fairfax. More info

City of Falls Church, VA - Approval by the City Council of Atlantic Realty’s proposal for a $124 million mixed-use project at 500 S. Maple Avenue will result in the largest development of office space (75,000 sq. ft.) in Falls Church in about 25 years. It will also include street level retail, 230 condominiums and 3,000 sq. ft. of “flex space” to accommodate events and displays. This latest of four mixed-use developments brings a total of more than $280 million of new investment in Falls Church. Details

District of Columbia - On Sept. 30, the Washington, DC Marketing Center presents its Business Initiatives Breakfast entitled “Emergency Preparedness -- Do You Know What to Do in a Crisis?” The event at George Washington University features Chip Akridge, Chair, Greater Washington Board of Trade’s Emergency Preparedness Task Force; DC Police Chief Charles and many more experts. Register Also, the Washington, DC Marketing Center recently relocated to the Metropolitan Square Building at 1495 F Street, NW. Contact the Marketing Center’s new offices at 202-661-8670.

Fairfax County, VA - The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) opened offices in Bangalore and Tel Aviv to work with Indian and Israeli tech firms interested in expanding into the U.S. Fairfax County is the first U.S. county to open a marketing office in Israel and India. The Tel Aviv and Bangalore offices are the fourth and fifth overseas operations begun by the FCEDA. Fifteen companies from Israel and nine companies from India already have a presence in Fairfax County. Contact Catherine Riley at 703-790-0600.

Frederick County, MD - The Board of County Commissioners and the Office of Economic Development are pleased to announce the 4th Annual Business Appreciation Week, beginning Sept. 27. Private-sector business ambassadors, along with state and county officials, will visit more than 120 firms to learn about each business, thank them for their contribution to Frederick County’s economy and listen to their constructive feedback. To learn more, call 301-694-1058.

Montgomery County, MD – On Sept. 2 County Executive Doug Duncan, Congressman Chris Van Hollen and other representatives were on hand to open the Silver Spring Innovation Center (SSIC). SSIC, the county’s second business incubator, provides low cost office space and services for start-up technology companies. Already the SSIC is 70 percent filled, with 25 out of 32 offices leased. Contact John Korpela at 240-453-6348 for details.

Prince William County, VA – George Mason University officially opened Bull Run Hall, the third academic building at the university’s Prince William location, earlier this month. Since this local campus was established, the nearby “Innovation at Prince William,” a growing business park, has become a prime location for biotech and high-tech companies. Details

Rockville, MD – Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) celebrated its new office in downtown Rockville with a grand opening ceremony on Sept. 9. The event attracted more than 150 attendees. The agency’s move to 95 Monroe Street echoes the City of Rockville’s commitment to revitalizing downtown. New contact info

St. Mary’s County, MD - In response to the need for new quality apartment communities, real estate developer HHHunt has announced its newest project near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Abberly Crest Apartment Homes will provide elegant accommodations complete with high-speed Internet connectivity for the growing technology workforce. The first phase of 252 units will open in spring 2005. More info

Montgomery optimistic about incubator
The Business Gazette, August 13, 2004

Baltimore 's Loss: HQ's go elsewhere
The Baltimore Sun, August 29, 2004

Prepare for departure?
Washington Business Journal, September 17-23, 2004