Arlington Economic Development (AED) is extending its thanks this season to the community partners that have played a central role in strengthening Arlington’s business environment — from corporate collaborators and universities to coworking operators and the County’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
Together, these organizations have helped AED to bolster workforce training, support startups, showcase Arlington to an international audience and build the kind of environment where companies want to stay and grow.
Corporate Partners Fuel Workforce Development
The AWS Skills Center, which celebrated its third anniversary in Arlington this fall, continues to serve as a regional hub for training, upskilling and professional development, much of which is free for the community. Its workshops, GameDay and networking events attract businesses, students and jobseekers from across the region. This year, AWS also briefed a cohort of international companies hosted by AED, sharing insights on U.S. business legalities and customer outreach and hiring practices.
Partners such as JBG SMITH and Crystal & Clark also stepped up in major ways. JBG’s Experience Center hosted events ranging from Arlington Tech Launchpad pitch sessions to Missions + Markets events and the Starburst Accelerator kickoff. Crystal & Clark also hosted Missions + Markets and Starburst events and will soon host DCA Live’s Capital Capital Dual Use in December. Amazon HQ2 also supported the local tech community by hosting and sponsoring programming during DC Startup & Tech Week.
Strengthening Business Districts
Arlington’s three BIDs —National Landing, Ballston and Rosslyn — continue to play a key role in making each corridor attractive to employers and employees. As a part of Arlington Tech Launchpad, the National Landing BID sponsored a networking reception at El Mercat, connecting visiting companies with stakeholders such as Unstuck Labs, Smart City Works, the Virginia SBDC and local founders.
In October, the Ballston BID welcomed a delegation of more than 30 tech companies from Uruguay, giving a presentation on the neighborhood’s business ecosystem and leading a tour of neighborhood assets.
The Rosslyn BID supported several AED initiatives throughout the year, including a joint lunch-and-learn session at WeWork and assisting with OPSWAT’s grand opening.
Universities Anchor Innovation
Arlington’s higher-education partners — George Mason University, Virginia Tech, Northeastern University and Marymount University — remain central to the County’s tech ecosystem. This year, George Mason University hosted DC DevFest at the Fuse at Mason Square, featuring speakers from Google, IBM, Microsoft and Qualcomm. Universities also regularly collaborate with AED on research, technology transfer and small-business support.
Coworking Spaces Showcase Arlington
WeWork offices in Rosslyn and Ballston continued to host tours, offer space for visiting companies and support AED programs — with the Rosslyn location becoming a “must-stop” on prospect visits. Life Time Work in Clarendon also hosted a fall lunch-and-learn with AED, generating new connections among members.
AED is proud to collaborate with partners that exemplify the collaborative spirit that drives Arlington’s economic success.
Organizations interested in becoming an AED community partner can contact the Business Investment Group to explore opportunities to work together.
