E-Bird News Brief

A three-times-per-week digest of the top Fairfax County stories from national and local media outlets. Subscribe to the E-Bird here.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Now hear this: Register for the March 6 "Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County workshop. These workshops are brought to you by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and our partners, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Hot off the presses: Herndon-based Volkswagen of America scored big with its "Darth Vader" ad during last year's Super Bowl, and it will air a 60-second sequal during Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday. VW released the ad early, and no doubt you'll be bowled after you watch it on Mashable Business.

All new material: Chantilly-based electronics recycling and data destruction firm PC Recycler has been on a corporate rollercoaster ride since its founding in 2003 and there is more than a shred of evidence that it is doing well now. We are delighted to recycle the link to Emily Mekinc's story in the Washington Business Journal that hits the streets today.

Building blocks: Reston-based Comstock Homes has two apartment projects underway in northern Virginia and plans to start three more communities across the region. Other homebuilders including Reston-based NVR and Tysons Corner-based Miller & Smith are gearing up for an ambitious wave of construction too. Daniel Sernovitz  builds the suspense in this Washington Business Journal story.

Reporting for duty: Tysons Corner-based Booz Allen Hamilton and VSE, which is building new headquarters near the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station, are two of 26 companies that will compete for task orders under a contract with the U.S. Air Force worth $1.9 billion (yup, with a b). Washington Technology tasked David Hubler to work up this story.

Honey, the dishwasher is leaking: Washington Business Journal reporter Bulldog Bill Flook takes a look at Urgnt.ly, the Reston-based startup that connects plumbers, computer repair experts and the like to consumers who need their services. The company is staking its claim in a market previously dominated by word-of-mouth referrals. We hereby refer you to Bulldog's Business Journal piece.

Extra extra, read all about it: The Washington Business Journal is turning 30 and looking back on important regional business stories over the last three decades. This week the paper notes that Tysons Corner-based media kingpin Gannett rolled out USA Today in September 1982, and the national daily ushered in colorful and dramatic changes in the newspaper biz. Press on and read this Business Journal story.

It's good to have a goal: Tysons Corner-based Paragon Technology Group founder Gazelle Hashemian and new CEO Scott Friedlander share the firm's growth strategies, including a goal of reaching $100 million in revenue by 2016, in this Washington Business Journal story by Jill Aitoro.

Curtain call: Terrence Jones, president and CEO of Vienna-based Wolf Trap Foundation, talks about his career supporting the nation's only national park for the performing arts, and even shares some of his favorite performances, in this WashingtonExec Q&A.

This Week's Fair Fact:

Reston, Fairfax County's second-largest commercial district, has 19.7 million square feet of office space and is home to Fortune 500 firm NII Holdings.

Notable Contract Wins:

• Boeing won a $226 million contract with the U.S. Navy to support system development and demonstration programs for aircrafts. GovConWire.
   
• The U.S. Navy awarded Alion Science and Technology with a $73 million contract to provide engineering and technical support services for Navy surface ships. GovConWire.

Events presented or sponsored by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority:

• February 14 -- Economic Development Summit. Presented by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. Get more information and register here.

• February 29 - March 1 -- Southeast Venture Conference. At the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Get more information and register here.

• March 6 -- Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County. At FCEDA headquarters in Tysons Corner. Get more information and register here.

• March 21 -- Marketing Communications Strategies and Tactics: B2B Communications. At FCEDA headquarters in Tysons Corner. Get more information and register here.

• March 30 -- Veterans in Business Conference. At the Mason Inn Conference Center. Get more information and register here.

• April 3 -- Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County. At FCEDA headquarters in Tysons Corner. Get more information and register here.

• May 1 -- Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County. At FCEDA headquarters in Tysons Corner. Get more information and register here.