Despite economic challenges, Arlington’s new director of economic development believes the county is poised to enter a positive era.
“We are in a transformational moment,” Anna Nissinen said during the July 14 meeting of the Economic Development Commission.
“We need leadership across the community to look at where do we go next — [to] build the next version of Arlington,” she said. “If we can keep hyperfocused on things that can move the needle … we can lead as an urban economy.”
Nissinen was recruited from the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to lead Arlington’s development efforts. She began work at the end of June.
In her July 14 presentation, Nissinen acknowledged both regional and Arlington-specific economic challenges.
“We need to understand the realities,” she said. “We have aging buildings … we are hemorrhaging people out of the area.”
“We have new demands for how people want to live,” Nissinen added. “We are obviously competing to keep our people here, to keep this quality of life that we have.”
Last November, Ryan Touhill announced his departure as director of Arlington Economic Development after five years in the position, having accepted a job in Arizona. Prior to Nissinen’s arrival, the post was filled on an interim basis by Kate Ange, a veteran staff member in the office.
At the July 14 meeting, Economic Development Commission chair Nick Gregorios said he was “very excited” to have Nissinen on board.
“We look forward to working with you,” Gregorios said.
At the same meeting, County Board member Julius “JD” Spain Sr. said he believed Nissinen possessed the right skill set to lead economic-development efforts forward.
“A lot of times, folks get up and they say the right things, but your accolades precede you,” he said.
Getting the department fully staffed and forward-focused would help Arlington’s efforts at attracting new and retaining existing businesses, Spain said.
“We’re going to go out and get our piece of the pie,” he said.
Although Nissinen delved into economic theory during her July 14 presentation, she acknowledged that would not be enough to move the county forward.
“What you care about here is action,” she told commission members.
