Arlington Goes Wireless Arlington County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish wireless hotspots providing free Internet access, primarily at Arlington County Parks and Recreation facilities. Locations include Powhatan Springs Park, Gateway Park in Rosslyn, Barcroft Park, Arlington Mill, as well as County offices in Clarendon. Proposers may also include public areas around Ballston, Clarendon, Virginia Square, Crystal City and the North Tract, Shirlington and Westover. Providers would cover their costs through county-approved business plans, such as charging for faster connections and selling online ads. Arlington's initiative is part of a nationwide move by governments to back low-cost wireless Internet platforms. Full article -->

...and the Washington Business Journal Weighs In The Washington Business Journal gave Arlington’s wireless move a thumbs-up in a recent opinion column. “Arlington's plan to cut the wires and allow a company to provide free wi-fi service in about 10 areas is just what the county needs…. joining other forward-thinking governments around the country.” Full article -->

Arlington Gets Attention from Austria A recent article in Bridges magazine, distributed by Austria’s Office of Science & Technology highlights Arlington’s leadership in technology-based economic development. Full article -->

GWI Announces New Exec Director The Greater Washington Initiative (GWI), the region’s economic development marketing affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, has promoted Tim Priest to Executive Director, the key staff position in GWI. Priest has been with GWI since 1998, having served as Vice President of Business Development, Director of Business Development and Program Manager. During 2005, he led the organization’s efforts to attract companies to expand operations in, or re-locate to the region. Thus far this year, GWI has helped bring 28 companies to the region, surpassing a record of 23 companies set in 2000. Before joining GWI, Tim worked for the Greater Baltimore Alliance where he developed the organization’s first State of the Region report.

Save the Date! A briefing of survey results for the Arlington Commercial and Multi-family Solid Waste Study will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2005. Hear Dr. Barbara Stevens, Ecodata, Inc., present the results from the Study’s survey of current recycling and waste management at Arlington’s business and multi-family properties and program highlights from 20 benchmark towns/cities. Last year, Arlington businesses and multi-family properties generated 70-75% of Arlington’s total waste stream. Therefore this sector represents the greatest opportunity to reduce waste and recycle more in Arlington. Arlington residents (especially apartment and condo residents), businesses, property managers, and stakeholder groups are invited to attend either the afternoon or evening session on Thursday, December 15th, at the following times and locations:

-> 2-3 p.m. Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy Street
-> 7-8 p.m. Fairlington Community Center Multi-purpose Room, 3308 S. Stafford Street

Please RSVP to Chip Goyette and specify the meeting time/location. To find more information about the Study, visit www.arlingtonva.us and search on “solid waste study”.

Business Read: The Tipping Point a “Must Read” for Marketers in Any Industry The premise of this facile piece of pop sociology has built-in appeal: little changes can have big effects; when small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or "tipping point" is reached, changing the world. Gladwell's thesis that ideas, products, messages and behaviors "spread just like viruses do" remains a metaphor as he follows the growth of "word-of-mouth epidemics" triggered with the help of three pivotal types. Find this book and other business books at the Arlington Libraries. Need a library card? Apply online.

CACI Featured on Mad Money CACI received a "booyah" bounce Nov. 30, a day after stock market guru Jim Cramer featured the company on the CNBC show "Mad Money." Full article -->

ICOR Partners Moves to Arlington ICOR Partners, a strategic-management consulting firm, is moving from Alexandria, VA to the Hartford Building in Arlington, VA. ICOR has a major contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information -->

Luxury Developers Migrate South Following the unveiling of Arlington’s revitalization plan for Nauck last year, a pair of local developers have broken ground on an $8 million residential and retail project, The Townes of Shirlington, where they'll build 12 luxury condominiums and 5,800 square feet of retail space. The first units will sell starting at $690,000 and could deliver in late 2006. Full article -->

Sign of the Times Ballston’s great skyline has a “Brand” new sign. The Westin brand has been installed on its building at Arlington Gateway, as the hotel begins its countdown to opening. Look for the official grand opening announcements, but tentative plans indicate a February 2006 opening date for Arlington’s newest full service hotel in dynamic Ballston. More information -->

Hotel Construction Pipeline Lodging Econometrics, the industry authority for hotel real estate, has reported national findings in its latest edition of its quarterly Lodging Development Forecast and Trends. According to the report, some developers are expressing concerns about accelerating construction costs in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In many of nations top 25 markets, there is not nearly enough new supply to offset the growing number of rooms going offline for conversion to residential units, or closing because of obsolescence.Full article -->

Women In Military Service For America Memorial The Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. will celebrate its tenth anniversary with an exhibit honoring women who served in-country. The exhibit is on display indefinitely. More information -->

Arlington Hotels Report Positive October According to Smith Travel Research, Arlington hotels had another good month in October. Arlington RevPAR improved 9.8% over the same month in 2004 jumping from $115.95 to $127.31 and the Average Room Rate increased 11.5% to $149.51 while Occupancy dipped 1.6% to 85.1%.

SBA & AED Sign Partnership Agreement The United States Small Business Administration and Arlington Economic Development recently signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum to develop and foster mutual understanding and a working relationship between the SBA and AED, as the organizations strengthen and expand small business development in the local area. Both organizations will work together in the spirit of cooperation with the primary goal of meeting the needs of the small business community. Look for joint SBA/AED events coming soon!

BizLaunch Events Visit the BizLaunch Web site to see all events in December and January sponsored by BizLaunch partners. Events are free, unless otherwise noted. For more information on BizLaunch program, visit the BizLaunch Web site.

Need a Business Plan? (In Spanish/en Espanol)
January 19, 6 - 8 p.m
Arlington County Public Library, Central, Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA
Ready to develop your business plan and don’t know where to begin? Are you seeking additional resources to help you successfully write your plan in order to secure a leased space, gain access to capital or expand your business? Well if you answered yes, to any of these questions above this seminar is developed especially for you! Learn to write and design the perfect plan for your small business. Register online or contact Catalina Ford, (202)728-0352.

Starting a Business in Arlington County
January 26, 6-8 p.m.
Arlington County Public Library, Central, Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA
Learn what you need to do to get a business license, certificate of occupancy, and state registration. Discover free website tools which can aid you in writing your business plan, developing a marketing strategy and financing options. Also, find out which organizations can help you map out your entrepreneurial plans for free! Register online or contact Darnell Roseboro.

SAVE THE DATE! BizLaunch Bootcamp (English)
Thursday, March 30, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday, March 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Arlington Business Center, 1100 N. Glebe Road, Ste 1500, Arlington, VA 22201
Kick-off the New Year right by attending the BizLaunch Bootcamp! This year there will be even more information to assist small business entrepreneurs to be successful. Topics will include marketing, strategic planning and financing. Cost: $75. More information, click on events, or contact Darnell Roseboro (703) 228-0833.