County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson Reports on State of the County
"Arlington’s finances are in excellent shape,” Ferguson said at the annual State of the County presentation, hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Arlington. Ferguson, who is leaving the board in January after serving for more than a decade, highlighted the County’s many achievements in the past 10 years.

Crystal City Home to First LEED Interior Project
A new project in Crystal City is the first one to receive LEED for Commercial Interiors certification in Arlington. Sigal Construction Company used the LEED for Commercial Interiors green building rating system, achieving a Silver rating. LEED is the green building rating system used to guide new site plan projects toward more environmental responsible construction. There are several LEED projects in the County, including Langston Brown, Navy League, NRECA, and the Pentagon. Several other LEED projects are under construction.

Red Top Cab Gets Green
Arlington’s Red Top Cab announced that it will be the first local company to join a nation-wide initiative to conserve fuel and reduce vehicle emissions through the use of hybrid technology. The company has placed an initial order for five Ford Escape Hybrid models. The highly fuel- efficient combination gas and electric vehicles are scheduled to arrive in mid-July.

Moran Announces BRAC Employment Funding
Nearly $5 million for Businesses Affected by BRAC in NOVA Released Congressman Jim Moran announced on June 29 that the Virginia Employment Commission will be receiving $4,978,262 in grant funding targeted for workers and employers in Northern Virginia affected by BRAC. “BRAC hit Northern Virginia harder than virtually any other locality in the country,” said Moran. “But our local economy is resilient and our communities are preparing in earnest for the coming transition. These funds will help ease the burden on the lives of those most upturned by BRAC -- the small business owners and employees located near BRAC’d office sites.”

Arlington will be opening its BRAC Transition Center in Crystal City this fall to help business owners and employees manage the effects of future office movements and relocations directed by BRAC. For more information on the BRAC Transition Center, contact Arlington Economic Development or call 703-228-0808.

Think Arlington Campaign Participant Tracy O'Grady Lauded for Culinary Creativity
For five years, Willow executive chef Tracy O'Grady has been obsessed with doing something new with pork. Not just a new dish, but an entirely new cut of the meat that no other chef had tried. Her results? See the front page story from the Washington Post Food section, where Michael Bratterberry, editor and publisher of Food Arts magazine, praises O'Grady, saying "What Tracy's done is both imaginative and resourceful." Learn more about the Think Arlington campaign, launched in May.

Got Arts? Get Cash.
The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington reported in June that arts in the Greater Washington Area generate $2.15 billion in local economic activity and support 45,000 jobs. The group released a report by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments: Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Region.

June Business Read
New Girl on the Job: Advice From the Trenches
by Hannah Seligson; foreward by Gail Evans
Call number: 650.1082/SELIG

Combining extensive research and interviews with high-powered female executives and hundreds of women--from college seniors to recent graduates to young women in the workforce--this is a woman's guide to the workplace, from etiquette and expectations to wardrobe and war stories.

Search for and reserve New Girl on the Job: Advice From the Trenches at the Arlington County Library. Search for call number 650.1082/SELIG. Need a library card? Apply Online

Arlington’s Ideal Innovation Part of Northrup Grummond Team for FBI Next Generation ID Bid
NGI is a ten-year development, operations and maintenance program which will provide biometric services to support the expanded FBI mission. The current FBI's fingerprint system, known as the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, provides automated flat and rolled fingerprint matching. NGI will expand these services to include other biometrics, such as facial, palm prints, and iris scans.

Arlington Ranked for Recruitment
Arlington was ranked 20th in the nation (small-counties category) for recruiting businesses, according to a new study released by Expansion Management magazine and the National Policy Research Council.

Arlington-based CACI Names New Chief Executive
CACI announced in that the president of its U.S. operations, Paul Cofoni, became CEO July 1, replacing J.P. "Jack" London, who has been chief executive since 1984. London will continue to serve as chairman, a title he has held since 1990. He joined Arlington-based CACI in 1972.

ESN Named to the Hispanic Business 500
Engineering Services Network Inc. (ESN), a trusted leader in engineering and technology solutions based in Arlington, VA, was named to the 2007 Hispanic Business 500.

Sumaria Systems, Inc. Awarded Air Force Contract
Sumaria Systems, Inc., Arlington, Va., is being awarded a firm fixed price contract for $49,900,000. This action provides for advisory and assistance Services. This work will be complete in June 2012. To date no funds have been obligated. Headquarters Air Force District Washington, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., is the contracting activity.

Stanley Marks Success of State Department's Largest Passport Processing Facility
The mega-processing center will be the largest passport production center. At full capacity, planned by the end of 2007, it will produce more than 10 million passports per year.

Arlington-Based In-Q-Tel Invests in Imaging Technology Firm Pixim
In-Q-Tel is an independent strategic investment firm that identifies innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the broader U.S. Intelligence Community.

DISA's Telework Design Team Wins Award for Best New Telework Initiative
In December 2005, DISA replaced its existing telework benefit with a new program designed to retain current employees and attract future employees.

CACI to support HUD in $74M task order
The new task order supports the agency's office of community planning and development in its efforts to develop viable communities by providing housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities for people with low and moderate income.

Arlington-Based MCG Capital Invests $40 Million in GMC Television
MCG Capital, an Arlington-based provider of financing and advisory services to middle market companies, announced that it has invested $40 million in GMC Television Broadcasting. The investment comes just over a month after MCG raised $53.4 million through a secondary public offering, selling 3 million of its shares for $18.15 each.

Watson Wyatt Buys Denver Consulting Firm
Arlington-based Watson Wyatt says the acquisition will expand its talent management and performance review and benefits consulting offerings.

Real Estate Development

2121 Crystal Drive Signs Foundations Tenant
The Council on Foundations leased 41,551 square feet at 2121 Crystal Drive. The organization will relocate from 1828 L Street, NW, which makes it one of many non-profits that have realized cost savings by moving from the District into Crystal City. Available space at the 12-story, Class A property is being marketed for between $34.00 and $36.00 per square foot.

Tourism

Arlington Concierge College a Success!
The Arlington Convention and Visitors Service conducted two more sessions of its quarterly Arlington Concierge College late last week, bringing together dozens of Arlington hotel concierges and front desk/guest services personnel. The two four-hour educational sessions included a walking of Clarendon; classroom presentations by WALKArlington, the Clarendon Alliance, the Market Common, and the Map Network; and receptions at the Boulevard Woodgrill and RiRa Irish Restaurant and Pub. Launched in March, the program informs concierges and front-line hotel personnel about Arlington’s wealth of attractions, restaurants, stores, and transportation options so that they may better serve travelers and direct spending toward Arlington businesses.

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Signs Two Management Contracts in Oakland, California
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, one of the nation's largest independent hotel management companies, announced that the company has signed a long-term contract to manage two Marriott-branded properties in downtown Oakland, California: the 484-room Oakland Marriott City Center and the 162-room Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown. Both properties were recently acquired by CIM Group, a large real estate investor based in Hollywood.

D.C. A Hot Destination for Family Trips
Multigenerational trips are becoming more popular as families strive to build in some quality time, giving travel agents a niche on which to build. This article details why the nation's capital is an attractive destination for family vacations.

Crowne Plaza Announces Expansion In Washington, D.C., Metro Area
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced that the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria has recently opened. The 253-room property is located only five miles away from downtown Washington, D.C., and will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation to guestrooms, restaurants, meeting space and public areas, to be completed by year-end.

Hotel Industry Profit Reached All-time High in 2006
The U.S. hotel industry broke records in 2006 with $26.6 billion in profits on $133.4 billion in revenues, both of which were record-setting achievements for the industry, according to Smith Travel Research.

Lack of Travel Brand USA Hurting Businesses, Expert Says
A variety of factors, including prohibitive visa policies and lack of marketing, are leading to a loss of foreign visitors to the U.S., one tourism industry insider says. The problem is impacting U.S. businesses, such as hotels, and will continue to worsen unless something is done.

More Business Travelers Bringing Family on Trips
According to a recent study, business travelers brought family members along with them on 14 percent of 435 million trips last year, up from 11 percent in 2000. The travel trend is prompting hotels to alter their marketing efforts to attract the travelers. "More and more, younger boomers and Gen Xers today are looking for ways to easily mix business with leisure and family fun," said Bill Marriott, chairman of Marriott.

Hilton Hotels Corporation To Be Acquired By Blackstone Investment Funds
Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with The Blackstone Group’s (NYSE:BX) real estate and corporate private equity funds in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $26 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone will acquire all the outstanding common stock of Hilton for $47.50 per share. The price represents a premium of 40% over yesterday’s closing stock price.

Retail Spotlight

What’s Happening in Arlington?
Check out Night Out and learn about the diverse mix of events and activities taking place all over Arlington – bookmark this page and keep up on the latest cooking classes, dance lessons, art exhibitions, and much more! If you’re an Arlington business and interested in having your event(s) featured on Night Out (at no cost!), please send an e-mail to jgeisner@arlingtonva.us.

Sushi Zen Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Fundraiser
Sushi Zen’s owners, Rosie and Shoji Gordon, are celebrating the restaurant’s 10th anniversary by raising funds for non-profits with Arlington community ties. Over the next six months, Sushi Zen will be sponsoring a series of fund-raisers for non-profits with Arlington community ties. Ten percent of the total sales for each day will be donated to the a specific non-profit. For those who identify themselves as supporting the fund-raiser of the day, an additional 10 percent of their meal will be donated.

Lee Highway Retail Profiled
David Schultz of the Arlington Connection profiled the international markets on Lee Highway. Schultz calls the strip mall “a veritable United Nations,” that “exists in a sleepy shopping center in North Arlington.” Stores selling goods from four nations on three continents sit side-by-side, Schultz notes.

Arlington’s Tallulah Named Best Casual Dining Restaurant by Washingtonian
Culinary stars, food aficionados and others toasted the Washington area's top chefs and restaurants at a glitzy event June 17.

Small Business News & BizLaunch Events

BizLaunch Events The following events are sponsored by BizLaunch, Arlington's Small Business Assistance Network. Events are free, unless otherwise noted. For more information on BizLaunch program, visit the BizLaunch Web site.

Basics of Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
July 19, 2007, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington
Fee: Free for Arlington-based nonprofits or nonprofit organization that serve Arlington; $49 for Center for Nonprofit Advancement Members; $79 for all others.
If planning is a way of looking toward the future and deciding what to do next, strategic planning is a disciplined effort to define where the organization is now, set a road map of where the organization should be going, and, most importantly, why the organization will go in that direction. If strategic planning is done correctly, the organization can face challenges with success. This session will discuss what should be included in a strategic plan, who should be involved in building the plan, how often strategic planning should be done, and what to do with the plan once it has be adopted. Register online or call (202) 457-0540 for more information.

The Bootcamps are Back! Save the Dates!