Mass resignations, layoffs and turmoil within the federal workforce present sweeping and potentially unprecedented challenges for Arlington’s economy, experts say.
As President Donald Trump’s plans to dramatically shrink the federal government have begun to take shape in recent weeks, so have projections for wide-ranging economic fallout throughout the D.C. area.
Its leadership may be changing, but the role of Arlington’s Economic Development Commission will remain vital in 2025, its members believe.
The body is “filled with professionals … that can offer guidance and perspective,” said Bill Dunn, the commission’s outgoing chair, at its December meeting.
Arlington’s likely 2025 County Board chairman has economic-development and property-repurposing initiatives atop his to-do list for the coming year.
“One out of four square feet [of office space in the county] is unoccupied,” Takis Karantonis on Dec. 10 told members of Arlington Senior Democrats. “It’s the highest for us ever, and one of the highest in the nation. What is worse, it’s not looking like the business is coming back.”
Redevelopment projects in Falls Church continue to roll along without any major setbacks or warning signs.
“Development interest in the city remains steady,” Paul Stoddard, Falls Church’s director of planning, told ARLnow. He said city officials were dealing with “the usual volume of calls exploring ideas for possible future applications.”
CoStar Group announced a deal today (Friday) to expand its presence in a Rosslyn office building as it moves forward with relocation plans.
The company, which announced plans to move its corporate headquarters from D.C. to Arlington in February, expects to relocate in early 2025, according a press release.
The still faint light at the end of the tunnel grows stronger week by week for Columbia Pike.
But that may be cold comfort for those facing at least 12 more months before years of construction are wrapped up.
Arlington’s visitors spent $4.5 billion in the county last year according to a new study, eclipsing a pre-pandemic record by nearly $100 million.
The county’s 7.1 million visitors in 2023 spent record-breaking sums on transportation, food and drink, hospitality, recreation and retail, according to a study conducted by economic forecaster Tourism Economics.
Arlington has ranked at the top of a list of the best places for new college grads to start their careers.
A new study by the website CoworkingCafe put Arlington at the No. 1 spot for “mid-sized cities,” just ahead of neighboring Alexandria at No. 2 and tech hub Bellevue, Washington at No. 3.
Arlington retail centers may soon be able to play movies and commercial messaging on large outdoor screens.
A proposed zoning ordinance change, unanimously recommended by Arlington’s Planning Commission on Wednesday, would affect six commercial areas in Pentagon City, Clarendon, Ballston and Shirlington. It’s part of an effort to encourage “gathering and socializing” and allow for “interesting and authentic entertainment and experiences” in Arlington’s retail centers, per a county report.
As Google plans to funnel $1 billion into Northern Virginia data centers, places such as Arlington may have renewed opportunities to attract tech investment.
Although the data center expansions announced last week are based in Loudoun County and Prince William County, they impact the entire area, said Terry Clower, director of George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis.
Arlington has landed the headquarters of another publicly traded company.
Arlington County and Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday evening that CoStar Group will be moving its corporate headquarters from D.C. to the Central Place building in Rosslyn. The Washington Business Journal previously reported that the company was nearing a deal to buy the office tower, describing the impending move as “another blow to downtown D.C.”
As a 15-year-long project to rebuild Columbia Pike with wider sidewalks and underground utilities enters its last construction phase, county leaders say they are seeing early signs of a promising future.
On Thursday, the Columbia Pike Partnership held its third annual “State of the Pike,” during which Arlington County’s department heads delivered a comprehensive overview of the Pike’s housing market and local economy via Zoom.
