RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) announced today that Virginia’s tourism industry generated a record high $35.1 billion in visitor spending in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase from $33.3 billion in 2023. Overnight visitation to Virginia increased by over one million people to 44.7 million visitors in 2024, up from 43.6 million in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time and setting a new record.
“In 2024, a record-breaking one million additional overnight visitors chose Virginia, drawn by our unmatched beauty, rich heritage, and welcoming communities,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Those visitors traveled from farther away, stayed longer, and spent more, generating a record $35.1 billion in direct spending. This unprecedented level of economic activity not only supports hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and strengthens local businesses, but it also generates crucial state and local tax revenues that help ease the tax burden for Virginia families. When visitors choose Virginia, they’re not just taking a trip, they’re investing in our economy, our workforce, and our future.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, (D-VA) joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in introducing the College Transparency Act (CTA), legislation to ensure students and families have better information as they consider higher education opportunities. The CTA would modernize the college reporting system for postsecondary data by providing accurate reporting on student outcomes such as enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings across colleges and majors.
“For many Virginians, higher education is one of the best investments for one’s future, and it’s vital that students and families have accurate information about student outcomes before choosing the right school and program for them,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to join colleagues from both sides of the aisle to introduce the College Transparency Act to ensure our college reporting system is up to date and able to provide Virginians with the most important information as they make this life-changing decision.”
ARLINGTON, VA (July 29, 2025) —Greystar, a global leader in the investment, development, and management of real estate, recently welcomed residents to its newest high-rise community, The Wendy.
“The Wendy should further elevate the living experience in Courthouse,” John Clarkson, Sr. Managing Director, Greystar, said. “While the Commodore solidified Courthouse as a highly desirable place to live for young professionals, the Wendy should meet the market for those who need more space but prefer not to own.”
July 23, 2025 — Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is pleased to have received $15,000 in funding through a PEDIGREE Foundation Program Development Grant. This generous grant will support a new initiative called Project Paws in Homes, which will provide those who adopt Lucky Dog’s long-stay – or challenging – dogs with the resources they need to make their adoption successful. The new program has already helped beautiful Bluebell, who was a long-stay dog and now “rules the lives” of her adoring adopters.
“Over the past year, shelters across the country have seen dog adoption rates drop, and the shelters that Lucky Dog partners with are no exception, said Mirah Horowitz, Founder and CEO of Lucky Dog. “As a result, shelter dogs are staying in care longer – and in more crowded conditions – than they have in prior years. Puppies are growing up in shelters and missing their critical window of socialization. Lucky Dog is working hard to help our source-shelters not only move the cute fluffy puppies and small adults who still get adopted quickly but also move the adolescents and long-stay dogs who struggle to find forever homes. The funding from the PEDIGREE Foundation ensures adopters have the resources and support they need to ensure successful transitions for their new forever family members. ”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and nine of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford requesting answers on the impact of FAA workforce reductions on aviation safety, including among analytical staff who proactively identify safety risks. The senators also inquired about comments by FAA officials suggesting the agency is using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze safety data to identify risks.
“The tragic crash of American Airlines flight 5342 highlighted serious gaps in our aviation safety system and demonstrated the need for a robust and experienced analytical workforce at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Unfortunately, over the past six months, your agency has significantly reduced its workforce. We are deeply concerned about these reductions’ impact on aviation safety,” the lawmakers wrote.
Arlington, Va. (July 22, 2025) – AC Hotel Arlington National Landing is officially open, unveiling a multi-million dollar transformation. The reimagined property joins Marriott International’s AC Hotels brand portfolio with distinction, as it’s the largest AC Hotel in North America with 355 European-inspired guest rooms. Highlights also include the debut of the sophisticated AC Kitchen & Lounge, a brand-new lobby and AC Library, 8,800 square feet of completely refreshed meetings and events space, a reimagined exterior façade, and a 4,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center.
“This opening marks an exciting new chapter not only for our team, but for the evolving identity of National Landing,” said Ben Joseph, General Manager at AC National Landing. “Our prime location to major transportation systems matched with our bold, new identity and state-of-the-art facilities is a welcome addition to the community for special events, meetings, celebratory occasions, and a thoughtfully designed home away from home.”
Updated Ballston One concept design (via Arlington County)
Arlington, VA – July 21, 2025 – Penzance, a leading owner, operator and developer in the Mid-Atlantic region for over two decades, has received approval from Arlington County for its proposed redevelopment of Ballston One at 4601 N. Fairfax Drive. The approved plan will convert the existing office building into a vibrant new residential community, adding another milestone in the company’s ongoing transformation of the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor. Project renderings can be found here.
The new project will deliver 328 multifamily units in a 7-story building, ranging from studios to two-bedroom plus dens, as well as 13 two-story loft homes, all designed around gateway architecture with an emphasis on biophilic living and sustainability. Penzance’s plans feature the adaptive reuse of the existing underground parking garage, dramatically reducing environmental impact while supporting a thoughtfully scaled new residential structure. The project is committed to LEED Gold certification and incorporates bird-friendly glass, dark-sky compliant lighting, and a green roof to exceed Arlington County’s environmental and stormwater management standards.
A rendering of a proposed adaptive reuse project at 2100 Crystal Drive (rendering by Brick Visual, courtesy of JBG Smith)
BETHESDA, Md. (July 21, 2025) – JBG SMITH (NYSE: JBGS), a leading owner, operator, and developer of high-quality, mixed-use properties in the Washington, DC market, has received approval from Arlington County to transform more than 550,000 square feet of vacant office space across two out-of-service National Landing office buildings into a 195-unit apartment building and a 344-room, dual-branded hotel.
“2100 and 2200 Crystal Drive are a testament to the success of Arlington County’s Adaptive Reuse Policy, which will breathe new life into these buildings and bring new hotel rooms, residents, and amenities to National Landing,” said Matt Ginivan, Co-Head of Development at JBG SMITH. “We have thoughtfully designed 2200 Crystal Drive to provide larger, multi-bedroom apartments that are in high demand but currently unavailable in the market.”
Arlington, Va. — Marymount University has launched its new Workday Pro Platform Administrator Certification, becoming one of only two higher education institutions in the nation to partner with global cloud-based software leader Workday to offer certification programs to the public.
This marks the beginning of Workday College, Marymount’s innovative credentialing initiative to prepare or upskill students, alumni and working professionals for in-demand careers in human capital management, finance and information technology.
July 18, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today reported that the unemployment rate in Virginia rose again in June, to 3.5 percent. The BLS report notes that “Virginia had the only rate increase” in the month of June. This was the sixth consecutive increase in Virginia’s unemployment rate, the first time the Commonwealth’s unemployment has continuously risen over half a year since the Great Recession job losses of 2008-2009.
Virginia’s rising unemployment rate comes amid the Trump Administration’s purges of thousands of federal workers and contractors across the Commonwealth, many of which are not captured in this data because they will not take effect until subsequent months. CNBC just downgraded Virginia in its annual “Top State for Business” rankings to the lowest point in nearly a decade, specifically citing “federal job cuts.” Recent mass firings by the Trump Administration are likely to substantially increase these cuts even further in coming months.
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Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
RICHMOND, VA – Today, while speaking at Google’s Reston office, Governor Youngkin announced the launch of VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI – a new online AI Career Launch Pad to help Virginians explore, learn, and connect to high-demand AI and tech-related opportunities. Developed by Virginia Works in partnership with the Grow with Google program, this one-stop launch pad is designed to help working-age Virginians understand, explore, and prepare for the growing role of artificial intelligence across a wide range of industries and jobs.
The VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI site features curated no-cost and low-cost learning opportunities from beginner friendly courses on AI fundamentals and practical workplace applications of artificial intelligence to bootcamps and degree programs offered by Virginia’s leading-edge community colleges and universities. Virginia Works – the Commonwealth’s new agency for workforce development and advancement – will disburse Career Certificate scholarships to support Virginians in gaining free access to high demand career and artificial intelligence training.
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Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today issued an executive order launching a first-of-its-kind agentic artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory reduction pilot to ensure that the Commonwealth captures the benefits of the latest artificial intelligence technology in reducing regulatory burdens and keeping regulations and guidance documents streamlined and up to date. AI has swept across the nation and our Commonwealth, energizing industries, empowering citizens, and rapidly advancing our way of life in unforeseen ways.
“We have made tremendous strides towards streamlining regulations and the regulatory process in the Commonwealth. Using emergent artificial intelligence tools, we will push this effort further in order to continue our mission of unleashing Virginia’s economy in a way that benefits all of its citizens,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
