E-Newsletter

Fairfax County E-Bird for December 10, 2019

Center of attention: Foulger-Pratt, in partnership with USAA Real Estate, will begin construction on Tysons Central, a 25-story, 384,000-square foot office building near the Greensboro Metro Station. The building, which could open in 2021, will be designed by Gensler. Bisnow reports that this decision was made after seeing the leasing success nearby projects have achieved, including The Boro.

Leader of the pack: The Washington, D.C., metro area, which of course includes Northern Virginia, led the nation in open IT jobs created over a 12-month period (192,000 jobs), according to CompTIA’s Tech Town Index 2019. Virginia Business reported the results, stating that Washington tech jobs are expected to grow by 4 percent in 2024.

Hybrid Theory: Tysons-based Omnispace received authorization from Mexico to build and operate a communications network in that country that uses ground-based and satellite technology. Washington Business Journal reports that this is part of a trial strategy by Omnispace to build a hybrid mobile-communications network to complement its existing satellite infrastructure. The company believes that a hybrid network made up of ground-based infrastructure and its satellites can yield more extensive and cost-effective mobile connectivity, writes Andy Medici of the Business Journal.

Heating up a cold case: Reston-based Parabon NanoLabs, which specializes in DNA technology, helped local police develop new leads on the 2006 murders of two elderly Springfield women. Reston Now has more on the story and Parabon NanoLabs’ contribution to the case.

New teammate: FCEDA President and CEO Victor Hoskins announced yesterday that he has selected Alex Iams, a longtime economic development professional in Northern Virginia, to be executive vice president at the FCEDA. Iams has spent 13 years at Arlington Economic Development, and interim director since August. Learn more in this FCEDA release.

Solar system: Tysons-based PenFed Credit Union is partnering with San Francisco-based Loanpal to support clean-energy solutions for homes. According to Technical.ly DC, the credit union will provide capital to help Loanpal manage a tech platform to make clean-energy products more accessible to homeowners.

Train of thought: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority released concepts for new routes for the Silver, Orange and Blue lines. Tysons Reporter states that the new concepts are part of a two-year study to address short- and long-term needs.

A walk in the park: Could the interchange of routes 7 and 123 (Leesburg Pike and Chain Bridge Road) in Tysons be reconfigured to make it more pedestrian-friendly? Greater Greater Washington‘s George Kevin Jordan examined renderings of possible updates of the interchange to include more public green space.

Top of the list: Bisnow is out with its list of 10 major real estate developments of 2019. The list includes The Boro, an expansive mixed-use development near the Greensboro Metro Station. 

Lots to change: Parking lots at Fair Oaks Mall could someday be replaced with new development. The Washington Business Journal reports that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to slash minimum parking requirements for some large shopping centers after Fair Oaks Mall owner Taubman Centers pressed for the change.

Energy to burn: Amazon announced it is investing in investing in solar projects in Northern Virginia, as well as Florida and Illinois, as part of their plan to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. Technical.ly DC reports that this renewable-energy project will be Amazon’s ninth in the Commonwealth.

Who’s who: Virginia Business released its inaugural list of 100 Virginians to get to know this year. The list includes notable individuals from across the business community, including FCEDA president and CEO Victor Hoskins and Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill.

Notable contract wins by firms in Fairfax County

  • Perspecta has won a position on the General Services Administration’s CIO Modernization and Enterprise Transformation (COMET) program and was awarded its first $16 million task order on the program. Potomac Tech Wire carried the release.
  • Leidos will continue providing flight services for the Federal Aviation Administration under a new 15-year, $1 billion contract. Washington Business Journal

Featured business events

  • December 11 — Spotting Phishing in 2020 – Safeguard Yourself and Your Organization. Part of the Business Education Series presented by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Click here.
  • December 12 — Hispanic Connect NOVA. Presented by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber. Speaker Filka Forkin will outline planning strategies that entrepreneurs should employ to sustain a business. Click here.