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.
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.
For Tessa Cannon, books are more than stories. They’re a way to build community.
As the owner of The Wandering Shelf, an independent mobile bookstore that launched in Arlington in May 2025, Cannon brings books directly to readers across the community. Operating out of a bookstore van, she sells new and used books for all ages, along with book-themed merchandise, at events and locations throughout Arlington.
The idea grew from both her love of Arlington and her desire to expand access to independent bookstores.
“There are two main reasons I chose Arlington,” Cannon said. “First, I love Arlington and am one of its biggest fans. Second, Arlington is near communities with an incredible array of independent bookstores, yet at the time Arlington had only one bookstore selling new books. I wanted to grow our independent bookstore network and bring books to more Arlingtonians.”
As she prepared to launch the business, Cannon worked with Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch program, which connected her with a SCORE mentor and provided guidance through the startup process.
“BizLaunch was helpful in many ways,” she said. “They connected me with a mentor from SCORE, provided guidance on county-specific licenses and shared a fantastic Small Business Checklist. The BizLaunch website is filled with helpful resources.”
One customer interaction stands out as Cannon’s favorite business memory. A customer purchased a copy of I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman and returned a few weeks later to share how much she enjoyed it. Weeks after that, she came back with friends and the same copy of the book, now covered with notes and annotations from everyone who had borrowed and discussed it.
“It was a wonderful reminder of the gift that comes with sharing books with your community and how we are each impacted differently through the stories we read,” Cannon said.
Community remains at the heart of The Wandering Shelf’s mission. Cannon describes the business as “hyperlocal,” with charitable giving and community engagement focused on supporting Arlington residents.
Looking ahead, she hopes to grow the business into a small brick-and-mortar bookstore while keeping the mobile operation on the road.
“We dream of having a third space where people can rest, learn and connect with others,” Cannon said. “We plan to always keep the van running so we can continue meeting people in all the different pockets of Arlington.”
For now, The Wandering Shelf continues bringing books directly to Arlington readers, one stop at a time. For more information about The Wandering Shelf visit www.wanderingshelf.com or their Instagram @thewanderingshelf.va.
BizLaunch Update: Applications Open for the Arlington Growth Accelerator
Ready to take your business to the next level? The Arlington Growth Accelerator is designed for established small businesses looking to scale, strengthen operations and accelerate growth.
This hands-on program connects business owners with expert guidance, practical tools and a network of peers navigating similar growth challenges. Participants will gain insights on strategic planning, financial management, marketing, leadership and long-term business sustainability.
Whether you’re looking to expand your customer base, hire employees or position your business for its next phase of growth, the Arlington Growth Accelerator can help you build a roadmap for success.
Applications are now open. Learn more and apply at www.bizlaunch.org.
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.
Pentagon MMA has brought a special honor home to Arlington from the birthplace of Muay Thai.
The Arlington Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu Academy is now officially a certified and registered Muay Thai Gym Partner through the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, making Pentagon MMA the only Muay Thai academy on the East Coast to have earned this distinction.
Join us for the Saint Ann Fall Festival on Saturday, September 26! Start the day with our Fun Run at 9:30 AM, followed by the Fall Festival beginning at 10:00 AM. This family friendly celebration is open to the entire Arlington community and offers something for everyone! Enjoy rides and inflatables, live entertainment, family friendly Bingo, raffles, a Beer Garden, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to gather with the community. The festival is also a celebration of Saint Ann’s diverse Catholic community, featuring food and entertainment representing our Filipino, Latino, and Peruvian communities, along with some local favorites. This year’s entertainment includes a live band in the Beer Garden, and exciting Bolivian and Peruvian dance performances. Admission is free, and tickets for food, rides, and activities can be purchased at the festival. Come celebrate with us and experience the warm, welcoming spirit of Saint Ann! We look forward to welcoming the greater Arlington community for a fun-filled day together. The Fall Festival will take place rain or shine! Come join the fun!
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
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
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.
County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti (screenshot via Arlington County)
The Arlington County Board has authorized staff to move forward with the sale of $208.4 million in 20-year general-obligation bonds.
The county government has tried to defer major bond sales as long as possible over the past two years, citing concerns about the region’s economic health and the county’s revenue conditions. But the time has come to move forward with the next sale, Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said on Saturday.
