Political campaign signs could soon be a thing of the past on Arlington medians.
County Board members in March are expected to consider a staff recommendation that would prohibit all signage — commercial, personal and political — on county-owned median strips and areas between sidewalks and roadways.
The incoming chair of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is preparing a renewed focus on outreach while marking a historic first for the 101-year-old organization.
Bismah Ahmed, who will be the first woman of color to take on the chairmanship, has ambitions of bridging gaps between businesses and the broader community, supporting local employers amid economic uncertainty and building on the chamber’s engagement efforts among young people, in particular.
A drop in occupancy rates at Arlington hotels is raising concerns about how long a rebound might take and the ripple effects it will have across the county’s overall economy.
Vacancy rates are “the biggest challenge” among local economic indicators at the moment, said Kate Ange, acting director of Arlington Economic Development.
The business improvement districts (BIDs) along Arlington’s major commercial corridors are evolving in response to a changing mix of office and residential development in those areas.
“We are the boots on the ground” in a shifting environment, said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn BID, during an Oct. 30 panel discussion on economic-development issues sponsored by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
For the second time in three years, Arlington is on the hunt for a new economic development director.
Ryan Touhill will be departing Arlington Economic Development (AED) in early November. Katharine Ange, currently deputy director, will serve as acting director during the search for a successor.
Arlington Economic Development is pursuing new options to market the county as a travel destination after the county attorney’s office halted its original plans.
At issue is whether Arlington County could use a 2021 state law to set up a tourism improvement district, or TID, to fund promotional efforts on behalf of the county’s hospitality industry. The county currently pursues such efforts in-house through the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service.
A week of countywide dining deals kicks off on Monday with the return of the annual Arlington Restaurant Week.
Over 80 Arlington restaurants plan to offer discounts, specials and prix fixe meals from Oct. 13-20 as part of the yearly promotion by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Participants range from fast-casual to formal dining and include local favorites like The Italian Store.
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce saluted public safety responses to this winter’s deadly mid-air crash over the Potomac River at an event last week.
A special Excellence Award was bestowed on the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Fire Department, Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for their efforts at the scene of the crash.
Arlington’s top elected official is embracing a this-too-shall-pass view of the impacts of Trump-era government cuts on the local community.
“We will weather this storm and come out stronger,” County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said at the annual Arlington Chamber of Commerce “State of the County” event yesterday (Thursday).
More partnerships with civic and business leaders could be coming to Arlington Public Schools as the school system seeks to rebuild relationships that suffered during the pandemic.
Superintendent Francisco Durán spotlighted a work-based readiness program at a meeting with School Board members earlier this month. He said that enhancing the program is one of the primary goals of a partnership improvement plan.
Arlington’s slow process for approving and permitting new development came under fire from County Board candidates, including the incumbent, at a recent forum.
“It’s a problem, no question about it,” incumbent Board Chair Takis Karantonis said at the event hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.
The race for the next chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee has gotten off to an early start.
Tony Weaver, who previously sought the Democratic nomination for Arlington County Board in 2023, announced his candidacy earlier this month. He plans to host a formal kickoff event in the early summer.
