Arlington to Release Homeland Security Study On Monday, August 8, Arlington Economic Development will release a white paper on Homeland Security contracting and its effect on the Arlington economy. The study was conducted by Arlington Economic Development in conjunction with Virginia Tech’s Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. The complete study is currently posted on the AED Home page. The summary white paper will be posted on Monday.

2005 Tech-e Awards, November 3, 2005 Save the date for this year’s Tech-e Awards, Arlington’s prestigious annual awards program that recognizes Arlington’s top technology companies, executives and future leaders. Nominations are now being accepted until the September 12th deadline. Categories include: Technology Executive of the Year, Technology Company of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Corporate Citizen of the Year, and Technology Young Mind, which includes a $2,500 scholarship sponsored by Arlington-based CACI. Nominations are open to all Arlington businesses, as well as Arlington Chamber member companies outside of Arlington. The awards program and breakfast ceremony are presented by Arlington Economic Development and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. More information-->

Arlington Among Nation’s Top 10 Digital Counties Arlington was named one of the Top 10 Digital Counties in the United States in an annual survey by the Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties (NACo). Placing in the Top 5 in its category, Arlington tied for third place, along with Hamilton County, Ind., for counties with 150,000-249,999 residents. “Arlington is honored to be among the leaders in providing our residents with convenient online access to County services,” said County Board Chairman Jay Fisette. “This recognition validates our efforts thus far and challenges us to do more." More information-->

Arlington and Alexandria Link via High-Speed Fiber Optic Connection Arlington and the City of Alexandria have built a high-speed fiber optic interconnection linking each jurisdiction's Institutional Network (I-Net). The dedicated, secure fiber link between Arlington and Alexandria is the first step in creating a series of Northern Virginia regional interconnections. The fiber link regional interconnection will eventually also connect with the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County, as well as possibly connect to other Northern Virginia jurisdictions. More information-->

Tourism Numbers Up in First Half of 2005 According to Smith Travel Research, Arlington’s hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) jumped 12.3% in the first half of 2005 from $96.46 in 2004 to $108.37 in 2005. Middle tier hotel RevPAR increased 15%, and upper tier RevPAR jumped 11.5%, with lower tier RevPAR posting a smaller 1.1% improvement. The entire Washington metropolitan area posted a 12.4% increase in RevPAR, far exceeding a nation-wide increase of 7.8%. Average room rates in the Washington, D.C. region jumped 11.2% from $119.42 to $132.80.

Psst! Get the Inside Scoop! Get a free subscription to Arlington Insider, the best way to keep up with all the latest news and information in Arlington. This biweekly e-newsletter is a quick read and features Arlington news, updates, news clips and tips. More than 5,000 Arlingtonians have signed up to receive Insider and the number grows every week. What do they know that you don’t? To subscribe, go to the Arlington County Web site, and click on the “Arlington Insider” Quick Link.

Arlington and XM Satellite Radio Partner for Emergency Alert Broadcasts Arlington County, an early adopter of public warning technologies, and D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio, with more than 4.4 million subscribers, announced a first-in-the-nation partnership to broadcast emergency alerts to the public on XM Satellite Radio, enabling Arlington to issue emergency messages, via its free Arlington Alert service to XM Satellite Radio subscribers. In addition, the partnership will allow XM to enhance its dedicated traffic and weather channel offerings for the Washington D.C., metro area (XM Channel 214). More information-->

Sentinel Contractors Awarded Air Force Contract Sentinel Contractors LLC, Arlington, Va., is being awarded a $9 million contract for Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. and its associated sites, with work to be completed July 2016. The Air Education and Training Command, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity

Kellogg Brown & Root Awarded Naval Contract Kellogg Brown & Root Services Inc., Arlington, Va., is being awarded a $27,324,903 construction contract for billeting facilities to house 2,000 personnel, with associated mechanical and electrical systems, showers, latrines, and site and paving improvements. Work is expected to be completed by July 2006. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. Kellogg Brown and Root Services Inc., was also awarded a $5,724,097 contract for repair to multiple buildings impacted by Hurricane Ivan at various Pensacola Naval Facilities. This project will correct damage to roofs, all interior damages and all other exterior damages to the buildings and appurtenances. Work will be performed in Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed by February 2006.

Arlington-based Consumer Electronics Association Finds Increase in Online Shopping Online shopping for consumer electronics products is gaining in popularity, according to a new study by the Arlington-based Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). According to more than 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed by CEA, online consumer electronics shoppers report higher satisfaction with the online purchase process than those who visited traditional brick and mortar stores, citing convenience, order accuracy, product variety, product availability and product information among the top reasons. More information-->

The Westin Arlington Gateway Announces General Manager Diane Holliday Germain has been made General Manager of Arlington’s newest hotel, the Westin Arlington Gateway, set to open late first quarter 2006. Ms. Germain has 21 years experience in the hospitality industry and started her career with Starwood Hotels in 1983 as a management trainee at the Westin Crown Center. Her most recent position was General Manager for the Sheraton Stamford.

MeriStar Hospitality Corporation Announces Senior Vice President Arlington-based MeriStar has named John E. Plunkett as Senior Vice President, Real Estate, overseeing MeriStar’s overall dispositions and acquisitions activities. Prior to joining MeriStar, he was a partner at Oak Hill Realty, L.L.C., since 2001. From 1993 until 2001, Plunket was executive vice president, finance & development with CapStar Hotels, Inc. MeriStar’s predecessor company.

Arlington’s BuySAFE Launches Bonded Shopping Site BuySAFE, an Arlington-based provider of e-commerce bonding services designed to help consumers protect themselves from online fraud, has launched its own bonded shopping site. The company said that its buySAFEshopping.com site features item listings exclusively from bonded sellers whose transactions are guaranteed up to $25,000 per listing. The site currently features approximately 1.5 million listings from bonded sellers on eBay and Overstock.com Auctions. More information-->

Feel the Laid-back Beach Vibe at Clare and Don's Located along Wilson Boulevard, Clare and Don's (get it?) is the fourth Claredon eatery established by the team that brought local favorites Lazy Sundae, Mexicali Blues and the Big Belly Deli. Clare and Don's unassuming storefront in the old Red, Hot & Blue Express location could be a transplant from the Rehoboth boardwalk, with live hermit crabs wandering on the sand behind the glass. With a focus on seafood, the menu offers everything from alligator tail to surf-and-turf, along with some non-fish and vegetarian items. A kids' menu and a bright atmosphere beckons families, and a decent beer selection and three TVs mounted above the separate bar area is sure to add to Clarendon’s nightlife. 3014 Wilson Blvd, 703-465-7873. Clarendon Metro stop (Orange line) at Wilson Blvd. & N. Highland St.

Arlington Gains Gateway Site in Land Swap with Developer In an innovative land swap, Arlington will acquire a prime parcel, with spectacular views of Washington’s monuments, and will receive $25 million from Monument Realty, to enhance the planned North Tract recreational complex in Crystal City. The deal also will enable the County to locate the North Tract’s state-of-the art aquatics and fitness center on a highly visible gateway site with easier access, and increase the park’s size from 28 to 30 acres. More information-->

Charles E. Smith Acquires 50% Interest in Pentagon City Vornado Realty Trust announced that it acquired H Street Building Corporation, which owns directly or indirectly through stock ownership in corporations, a 50% interest in real estate assets located in Pentagon City, including 34 acres of land leased to various residential and retail operators. The purchase price is approximately $246.6 million, which also includes a 1,670 unit apartment complex, 10 acres of land and two commercial office buildings all located in Washington, D.C.

Washington Caps Facility to Welcome 2006-2007 Hockey Season The Washington Caps practice facility is well underway, and will be ready in time to welcome Washington Caps players for the 2006-2007 NHL season. The recent resolution of the NHL strike was welcome news for many Arlington hockey fans, who are eagerly awaiting their opportunity to watch the Washington Caps take the ice in Ballston. Besides being a close-in, central location for Caps players and the organization’s office staff, the Arlington facility will be a community recreational resource, providing ice time for public skating, lessons, figure skating and hockey clubs.

Hecht’s Stores to Become Macy’s Federated Department Stores recently announced it will convert 330 stores it acquired from May Department Stores to the Macy’s banner, including the Hecht’s store located at the Ballston Common Mall in Arlington. The announcement has created concern among some experts who fear vulnerability of losing loyal May customers. A Web site, www.KeepItFields.org, recently went online to help save Marshall Fields, a staple in the Chicago area. Federated’s chairman, president and CEO Terry Lundgren said that the department store has taken consumer feelings into consideration, and that “…our customers tell us through research and their behavior that what’s inside a store – the merchandise, the service, the people, the shopping environment – is what matters most. And this is where Macy’s excels.” Read the debate and add your opinion to the discussion on the Retail Wire Web site.

Donohoe Cos. to Develop Residence Inn at Arlington Courthouse Plaza The Donohoe Companies have been selected to develop the long awaited $35 million hotel at Courthouse Plaza near the Courthouse Metro station. The 10-story, 176-room Residence Inn will also contain a 6,000 square-foot restaurant and an additional 4,000 square-feet of ground floor retail. The hotel will be managed by Donohoe Hospitality Services, a subsidiary of Donohoe. The hotel is expected to open by the first quarter of 2008.

Summer Travel Record Breaker Despite rising prices for all aspects of travel related expenses, the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) reports that Americans will travel in record numbers during the summer, with some 328 million leisure person-trips taking place in June, July, and August 2005. The TIA reported that travelers will be mindful of budgets and will be looking for the value proposition, as they participate in the traditional activities of visiting museums (33%); cities and urban areas (54%); historic sites (41%); and cultural and ethnic events (24%). More information-->

Arlington Hotels Partner with Independence Air Arlington’s Crowne Plaza Crystal City, Embassy Suites Crystal City and the Doubletree Hotel Crystal City are participating in a getaway package incentive program for Independence Air’s inside sales team for their top sales performers. In exchange for free flight certificates on Independence Air, the hotels will provide free two-night getaway packages in the Arlington hotels. The partnership illustrates the many win-win opportunities available to the Washington, D.C. area’s hotels, airlines, rail and other travel-related industries.

Hilton Arlington Pumps Up Summer with Free Gas Package The Hilton Arlington, located in Ballston announced its “Pump Up Your Summer” promotion to celebrate the completion of its six-month, $4 million renovation of its 209 guest rooms, lobby and meeting space. Guests who book a room and stay at the hotel during the period August 1 through September 5, 2005, will receive a gasoline card valued at $10 for every night they spend at the hotel, as well as complimentary on-site parking, a complimentary breakfast buffet, a Metro map and a guide to the local area. More information-->

PKF Projects Significant Rise in U.S. Hotel Property Taxes The 2005 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry published by PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), an affiliate of PKF Consulting reports that based on historical economic patterns, property taxes for U.S. hotels are expected to increase significantly for at least the next two years. The revenue and profit recovery currently underway within the lodging industry will drive up the property values calculated by municipal appraisers during their upcoming reassessments. More information-->

Hotel Guest Satisfaction is up, Despite Rising Room Rates and Increased Occupancies A just-released 2005 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, published by J.D. Power and Associates Reports, now in its ninth year, measures overall hotel guest satisfaction based on six measures: check-in/check-out, guest room, food and beverage, hotel services, hotel facilities, and costs and fees. Hotel chains are ranked in six segments: luxury, upscale, midscale full service, midscale limited service, economy/budget and extended stay. More information-->

Visit the BizLaunch Web site for events in August and September sponsored by BizLaunch partners. Events are free, unless otherwise noted. For more information on BizLaunch program, visit the BizLaunch Web site.

The Arlington County Fair: Small Town Fun in the Big City From August 18-21, Arlingtonians will turn out by the thousands for the perennial favorite Arlington County Fair. The 29th Annual Fair will again be held at the air-conditioned Thomas Jefferson Community Center and is open to the public. The Fair features carnival rides, competitive exhibits, arts and crafts, great food from around the world, live entertainment, pony rides, a petting zoo and the always popular pig and goat races - fun for all ages, and a taste of small town fun in the big city. Grab some cotton candy and stop by the Arlington Economic Development booth to meet the staff. More information-->