Arlington’s title companies handle everything from title searches and insurance to settlement services, protecting your interests and guiding you through the closing process with professionalism.
Office building at 4401 Wilson Blvd in Ballston (via Google Maps)
A Ballston-based defense technology firm is investing $19 million to expand its Arlington headquarters and add 210 jobs, doubling its Virginia workforce.
Innovative Defense Technologies, headquartered at 4401 Wilson Blvd, develops automated software tools that help U.S. military programs integrate, test and field new systems faster. The expansion was announced today by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who approved an $800,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to help Arlington land the project.
Aspiring retail entrepreneurs and product-based small businesses will soon have an exciting new opportunity to grow through NEXT., a new retail incubator program launching in November through Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch program and in partnership with the Ballston Business Improvement District (BID) and the Ballston Quarter Mall.
Designed to help makers, artisans and product-based businesses build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a brick-and-mortar environment, NEXT. combines classroom instruction, one-on-one business advising and hands-on retail experience in a real storefront setting.
Eligible businesses include those selling apparel, jewelry, handmade goods, home décor, beauty and skincare products, artwork, accessories and other specialty retail items. Food and beverage businesses are not eligible for the inaugural cohort.
Participants will complete a weeklong retail readiness curriculum covering:
Licensing and permitting
Retail leasing
Merchandising
Branding
Customer experience
Point-of-sale operations
The curriculum features instruction from industry professionals, property management representatives and local partners, along with hands-on merchandising support.
A key component of the program is a weekend retail activation. After completing the training, selected participants will operate a shared retail storefront in Ballston for one weekend, gaining firsthand experience serving customers, merchandising products, managing inventory and processing sales in a live retail environment.
Participants will also meet with a BizLaunch business advisor for individualized technical assistance. These one-on-one sessions are designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen operations, evaluate growth opportunities, and connect with resources related to marketing, financing, ecommerce, licensing and expansion planning.
Applications are open to businesses that:
Are registered and in good standing with the Commonwealth of Virginia
Hold the required business licenses and sales tax registration
Can commit to participating in the full program
Applicants will be evaluated based on business readiness, product quality, growth potential and their ability to benefit from the retail training experience.
Selected participants will pay a $100 fee to secure their place in the cohort.
For entrepreneurs interested in testing their products in a retail setting, gaining practical experience and connecting with a supportive business community, NEXT. offers a practical pathway to growth.
To learn more and apply, visit the Next application page. If you know of aspiring makers, innovators or retailers, please share this opportunity! Applications will be reviewed by the program team, and selected applicants will be invited to interview before the final cohort is selected.
Jimmy Carrasquillo holds a banner celebrating his 300th career win (courtesy Eddie Carrasquillo)
Jimmy Carrasquillo continues to establish himself as the most accomplished public-school soccer coach in Arlington.
The longtime coach of the Washington-Liberty Generals boys team recently earned his 300th career victory. The breakthrough came May 19, when the host Generals blanked the Marshall Statesmen, 5-0, in a Liberty District tournament-semifinal match.
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League of Women Voters of Arlington & Alexandria City's Candidating returns
The League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City will host Candidating for the general election on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16th St. S.
The event gives Arlington residents the opportunity to speak directly with the candidates seeking county office this November.
2026 Arlington Best Business Awards recipients (courtesy Arlington Chamber of Commerce)
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce on May 19 celebrated businesses and organizations that combine organizational success with a commitment to the broader community.
The 40th annual Best Business Awards drew 250 local leaders to Army Navy Country Club for “the premier celebration of businesses of all sizes in Arlington,” Chamber president/CEO Kate Bates said.
Spend an evening discovering exceptional wines, live acoustic music, and community at Rosslyn’s newest event: Rosslyn Reserved. Enjoy a tasting experience with a sommelier from Screwtop Wine Bar, savory bites from local Charcuterie business, Graze Craze, and more!
Dark clouds over the twin towers in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
Nissinen to Lead AED — Arlington County has named Anna Nissinen as Chief Economic Development Officer and Director of Arlington Economic Development, effective June 29. “She brings a combination of global economic development experience in the region, strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and a deep understanding of how innovation economies evolve that will help propel Arlington forward,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said. Nissinen is currently a senior vice president at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. [Arlington County, WBJ]
Ballston-Based AvalonBay Merging — “Apartment owners AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential have agreed to a merger, creating a multifamily real-estate giant worth more than $50 billion.” Under the deal, AvalonBay shareholders will own a little more than 51% of the combined entity, which will hold more than 180,000 rental apartments. [WSJ, Multifamily Dive, CNBC]
Cape Opens Rosslyn HQ — “Fresh off raising $100 million, Arlington mobile carrier startup Cape has established a stand-alone headquarters after operating out of a WeWork in Rosslyn since its launch in 2022.” Cape inked a nearly 13,000-square-foot lease in Arlington Tower, two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station, and plans to double its workforce to 200 people by year-end. [WBJ]
Courthouse Startup Lands $43M — “Arlington startup Quartermaster AI Inc. wants to make the world’s ships easier to spot and track, and investors are taking note.” The Courthouse-based company has developed SmartMast — a combination of cameras and radios installed on a ship’s mast that produces data on vessel activity, weather changes and ocean anomalies. Investors including First Round Capital and Quiet Capital participated in the Series A round. [WBJ]
Flags In at ANC — Nearly 1,500 Old Guard soldiers placed an American flag at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday morning — more than 260,000 in all — to mark the start of Memorial Day weekend. “The Old Guard has done this every year since 1948. Each flag is placed exactly one boot length from the headstone. They finish in under four hours.” [Military.com, Stripes, ArlingtonNatl/X]
Flower Volunteers Needed — “The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation will bring 200,000 flowers to Arlington National Cemetery to place on graves as a tribute to those who gave their lives to protect others.” The foundation is still seeking volunteers to help place flowers Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again on Memorial Day. Sign up at MemorialDayFlowers.org. [WUSA9]
Mini Grant Apps Open — “Arlington County’s Neighborhood Mini Grant (NMG) Program is now accepting applications through Friday, July 17, 2026. The program’s goals are to provide Arlington neighborhoods with funding opportunities to encourage community building through a variety of activities, programs, events, and projects that promote racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.” Maximum grant amount is $1,000. [Arlington County]
Reads Set in Arlington — Northern Virginia Magazine rounded up six books that use Arlington “as more than a backdrop, whether it’s a staycation guide, a neighborhood history, or a crime novel.” The list includes Charlie Clark’s “Arlington County Chronicles,” Kim A. O’Connell’s “Echoes of Little Saigon,” Mark de Castrique’s mystery “Secret Lives,” and Ann Patchett’s novel “Commonwealth.” [N. Va. Magazine]
Falls Church Housing Plans — Falls Church City Council is weighing three scenarios for affordable housing at the 4-acre Virginia Village site on S. Maple Street, ranging from refurbishing 40 existing units to building upwards of 100 new units in three to seven stories. The council is aiming to issue a request for proposal by the end of next week. [Falls Church News-Press]
Beyer Hails Housing Bill — “This bill is a big win for everyone who wants to make housing more affordable… Housing costs in particular are high on the list of the most important challenges affecting my Northern Virginia constituents, and I’m thrilled to see this bill advance,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The bill passed the House 396-13 and now returns to the Senate. [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Press Release]
Safe Swimming Pledge — “After pool drownings of children 5 and under reached a five-year high last year in Virginia, state health officials are urging families to take a ‘safe swimming pledge’ as pools open for the season.” There were 12 accidental drownings of children 5 and under in Virginia in 2025 — more than the nine reported across the prior three years combined. [ALXnow]
It’s Friday — Expect periods of light rain throughout the day with cloudy skies, a high near 62 and a northeast wind of 9 to 14 mph gusting as high as 18 mph. Rain continues into the night with a low around 51. [NWS]
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
🌧️ Friday’s forecast
Expect rain before 5 p.m., followed by showers, with a high of around 61°F. East winds will be 9 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and an 80% chance of up to a quarter-inch of precipitation. Friday night will have showers until 11 p.m., then more rain, with a low of about 51°F, east winds at 8 to 13 mph, and a 100% chance of similar rainfall. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” – Florence Nightingale
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Job seekers at a Crystal City career fair (file photo by Jay Westcott)
The number of Arlington residents counted as unemployed is up 11.4% year-over-year and has increased 50% since the start of the Trump administration, according to new state data.
A total of 4,814 county residents were looking for work in March, according to figures reported May 19 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement. That’s up from 4,358 a year before and up from 3,212 in December 2024, the last full month of the Biden administration.
The Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday approved the design for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built near Memorial Bridge, even as the administration signals it does not plan to seek congressional approval for the project.
Commissioners, all appointed by Trump, acted despite overwhelming public opposition to the 250-foot arch, one of several projects the Republican president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his imprint on Washington.
Registration is now open for Rosslyn Fall Fest, returning to the NOW pop-up park (1401 Wilson Blvd) on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 6 p.m. Expanded this year onto Oak Street, the FREE event will transform Arlington’s most urban neighborhood into a seasonal destination featuring an inflatable corn maze, local makers market, seasonal beer garden, live music, and fall-themed experiences for all ages to enjoy.
Attendees can explore a curated market of local makers and artisans, enjoy ciders and seasonal brews in the beer garden, navigate an inflatable corn maze, test their skills at inflatable axe throwing, and take part in pumpkin-themed activities and other fall experiences. Food vendors, live music, and dog-friendly programming round out the afternoon.
