From the Acting Director: A Year of Resilience, Innovation and Impact
December 19, 2025 | By Katherine Ange
As we near the end of 2025, Arlington reflects on a year marked by both challenges and progress. Federal policy shifts coupled with a prolonged government shutdown tested our community and economy, creating uncertainty for businesses and residents alike. Yet through the hardship Arlington Economic Development (AED) worked with its partners to turn obstacles into opportunities — strengthening our economic resolve and reinforcing Arlington’s reputation as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and investment.
Driving Innovation and Business Growth
This year, Arlington continued to establish itself as a destination for startups and technology leaders. Through initiatives such as the Arlington Innovation Fund, AED supported ecosystem-building partnerships including DC Startup & Tech Week and Accelerate, each drawing hundreds of innovators and investors. The launch of the Arlington Tech Launchpad connected global founders with local companies, universities and capital networks — leading several participants to return for follow-up visits and explore long-term expansion in Arlington. We also had some notable company expansions and new office openings including Technomics and Helsing. Technomics will add 25,200 square feet of office space to accommodate its growth, creating 248 new jobs. One of Europe's largest venture-backed startups, Helsing, opened its initial U.S. operations in National Landing in 2025 leasing 5,200 SF and has plans to hire 20 employees by the end of 2026.
Arlington’s entrepreneurial community thrived through programs that emphasized culture, creativity and connection. Efforts like Arlington ArtWalk, the Hispanic Heritage Month social media campaign and our Brunch and Business series spotlighted the diversity that fuels our local economy. The Transformational Challenge technical assistance program encouraged small businesses to adopt new ideas and technologies, reinforcing Arlington’s commitment to building an inclusive innovation ecosystem. Our small business team, BizLaunch responded to growing demand from former federal employees by creating programs to support their entrepreneurial goals. Working with partners, the team coordinated seven events focused on business launch and growth, attracting more than 2,500 participants for networking and pitch opportunities. BizLaunch consultants also provided technical assistance to 100 former federal workers, helping them start and establish businesses.
Tourism and the Visitor Economy
In 2025, the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service sales team sent more than 200 meeting and group leads totaling more than 78K room nights to Arlington hotels, resulting in more than 34K room nights booked so far. Despite a challenging year for the hospitality sector, Arlington achieved major milestones. Arlington ranked #44 on Cvent’s Top 50 Meeting Destinations in North America, underscoring our continued appeal to event planners. Also, Virginia Tourism Corporation announced that in 2024, visitor spending in Arlington reached a record $4.8 billion, supporting more than 17,000 local jobs and generating $177 million in local tax revenue — critical funding that helped sustain community services and amenities. While the region continues to experience record lows in visitor demand at the end of 2025, ACVS team members and industry partners continue to work on efforts to increase funding options for tourism marketing and promotion and remain cautiously optimistic for a recovery in 2026.
Strengthening Commercial Centers and Placemaking
AED advanced strategies to stabilize the commercial real estate market and address office vacancy challenges by repositioning supply and supporting placemaking efforts in our commercial centers. Changes to local regulations at the end of 2024 have resulted in nearly 1.8 million square feet of obsolete office space approved for adaptive reuse into housing and hotel rooms in 2025. Placemaking projects — like the NOW popup park — initiated by the Rosslyn BID and supported by the AED team demonstrate creative ways to use underutilized space to activate key commercial areas. These improvements enhance Arlington’s competitiveness by creating vibrant, amenity-rich areas that attract employers, workers and residents alike.
Celebrating Arts and Culture
Arlington completed a major capital investment in The Studios at Arlington Arts, a state-of-the-art home for artists in ceramics, printmaking and textile arts. The new studios at 3700 South Four Mile Run will enhance the amenities and cultural vitality in the south Arlington community and provide a hub for the creative economy. Through an Artist in Residence Grant, AED was able to fund cultural programming including the Women Musicians Showcase, featuring Jazz musician Amy K Bormet and vocalist Munit Mesfin. They celebrated influential artists such as Roberta Flack and the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. Finally, the pilot Placemaking Grant program resulted in two successful project awards including Look, a temporary pop-up artist gallery and performance space opening in early 2026 and a series of performances in our commercial centers by the Arlington Philharmonic Association.
As we prepare for 2026, AED remains committed to efforts that drive demand for business investment and growth while also continuing to foster cultural vibrancy and community connection. Together, we’re making an Arlington where businesses thrive; innovation flourishes, and every resident and visitor feels at home.