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Intel center at Belvoir: The Army is weighing a massive expansion of development on the north portion of Fort Belvoir, including a possible new Intelligence Community campus to be constructed near the existing National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency headquarters. According to a presentation outlining the potential redevelopment to the National Capital Planning Commission, the Army has drafted a master plan with four development zones within the Fort Belvoir North Area, an 804-acre noncontiguous area two miles northwest of the military base’s main post and sandwiched between Backlick Road and the Fairfax County Parkway, reported the Washington Business Journal.

Advancing infrastructure investments: Stockholm, Sweden-based Skanska, a global construction firm based in the US in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ, opened a new office in Tysons for its civil operations. The 3,129-square-foot office will support ongoing Skanska civil projects in the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as the pursuit of new opportunities. “There is currently tremendous focus on advancing investments in infrastructure projects such as urban roads, interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, public transit and the passenger rail systems both nationally and in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Don Fusco, president and CEO of Skanska’s USA Civil operations. “We are known for our world-class construction services within the civil sector and look forward to supporting strategic initiatives in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.” citybiz has more.

Way to go! Seven Fairfax County-based companies placed on WayUp’s annual Top 100 Internship Programs List: Freddie Mac (Tysons); General Dynamics (Reston); Mars (McLean); Maximus (Reston); Navy Federal Credit Union (Vienna); Noblis (Reston); and Serco North America (Reston). In addition, Amazon, which is building its Northern Virginia headquarters in Arlington, landed on the list. Notably, all of these companies offer paid internship opportunities. Forbes has more.

Catapulting clearances: AT&T is partnering with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to launch its AT&T Catapult IT apprentice program in Northern Virginia, which is meant to train more people in the IT skills needed to meet the needs of federal customers in the national security sector. Students accepted into the program will take classes at NOVA’s campus in Reston and also receive on-the-job training at AT&T’s Oakton facility as part-time AT&T employees. While working their way through the two-year program, participants will go through the security clearance process, and they will also work on industry certifications from CompTIA, Cisco and others. The goal is that by the end of the program, participants who successfully complete all requirements — including 2,000 hours of training — and receive clearance will transition to full-time employment at AT&T and support its work for federal agencies, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Constellation expansion: France-based Arianespace launched its ninth mission for broadband startup OneWeb, which is based the UK and has its North American headquarters in Tysons, on Aug. 21, expanding its low Earth orbit constellation to 288 satellites. A total of 34 satellites for OneWeb launched on a Soyuz rocket at 6:13 p.m. Eastern from Kazakhstan, reported SpaceNews.

Sustaining biopharma industrial base: Tysons-based MITRE released an action plan outlining policy, financing and program recommendations to sustain and strengthen a biopharma industrial base as part of efforts to improve national security. The 10-point action plan seeks to address weaknesses in the biopharma industrial base during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a MITRE announcement. “A lack of a sustainable biopharma industrial base, including critical infrastructure and a trained workforce, has contributed to the supply chain issues experienced during COVID-19,” said Monique Mansoura, executive director of MITRE’s global health security and biotechnology. ExecutiveGov has more.

A-spiring to new places: Spire Global, a provider of space-based data, analytics and space services with federal headquarters in Tysons, said it will expand its East Asian operations through a new partnership and satellite mission with South Korea’s Hancom Group, marking the first commercial satellite mission for a private South Korean company. Hancom will host an optical payload on Spire’s 3U nanosatellite to support the launch of a new product focused on the agriculture sector and expansion of its existing image analysis offerings, according to Geospatial World.

Gaining trust: Two Six Technologies, based in Arlington, a technology-focused provider of products and expertise for national security customers, acquired Trusted Concepts, based in Herndon. Trusted Concepts is a provider of high-end information technology services to federal and commercial clients with deep domain expertise in cyber, data analytics, secure communications and encryption. “I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Trusted Concepts into the Two Six team,” said Joe Logue, CEO of Two Six Technologies. “The two companies are extraordinarily complementary, with a shared strategic vision and strong cultures focused on innovation, mission impact, and attracting the industry’s best talent.” Intelligence Community News has more.

Atlas not shrugged: Customer Value Partners (CVP), a Fairfax-based technology consulting firm, acquired Atlas Research, a Washington, DC-based consultancy focused on federal health work. “CVP’s acquisition of Atlas is the realization of a shared vision for an industry-leading, comprehensive mid-tier healthcare technology and consulting firm primed for growth,” said Ryung Suh, the co-founder and CEO of Atlas. With the acquisition, CVP will expand into the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has been a client of Atlas since 2008, citybiz reported.

Defense partnership: DC-based private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners signed an agreement to acquire Tysons-based MCR, a software and engineering firm focused on the government. “MCR has established itself as a preeminent provider of differentiated systems engineering and integration solutions that address critical national security objectives in the space, cyber, and missile defense domain,” said David Wodlinger, partner at Arlington Capital Partners. “We are partnering with MCR to increase investment in these core areas, as well as to pursue strategic acquisitions to enhance and broaden the differentiated capabilities that MCR can bring to bear for its customers.” GovConWire has more.

Listen down!  VTG, a Chantilly-based provider of digital technologies to the military, acquired Manassas-based ASSETT, a provider of undersea warfare and unmanned systems technologies. Founded in 2001, ASSETT provides the military with SONAR acoustics and signal processing technology. Retired Rear Admiral Jim Shannon, the president of ASSETT, is expected to continue to lead the unit after its integration into VTG, according to citybiz.

Roller coaster ride: The COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc upon the region’s hospitality industry and full recovery may be a good distance off, said Barry Biggar, president and CEO of Visit Fairfax to Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce members at a virtual event on Aug. 19. He remains upbeat, however, for the region’s long-term prospects, InsideNoVa reported. “We’re just going to have to wait it out,” he said of the pandemic. “I’m exceptionally optimistic we will come back better than we were in 2019.” Biggar pointed to some recent local successes, such as the openings of the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir and the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in Lorton. The upcoming opening of Capital One Hall in Tysons also will give the region a needed boost, Biggar said. “We’re still on a roller coaster,” he said. “So let’s all just smile, get in the front seat of this roller coaster and just ride it out and keep an optimistic view as we look toward the future.”

Good tweet: The Perch, Capital One Center’s 2.5-acre urban sky park, located 11 stories up in Tysons, is now open to the public. “Perchfest,” the three-day family-friendly grand opening celebration, will run from Sept. 17-19. The free event is limited to guests, who must register online to reserve a ticket. When fully built out, Capital One Center will encompass 6 million square feet of development. The Watermark Hotel is scheduled to open on Sept. 21, followed by Capital One Hall — a new performing arts venue — on Oct. 2, reported Tysons Reporter.

August 26 — Everything you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines, mask mandates, and Virginia workplace safety. Join Alexandria SBDC for a presentation by R. Doug Taylor, Shareholder, Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C. Click here to register.

September 14 — Entrepreneurship 101. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, the Community Business Partnership and the U.S. Small Business Administration, conducts a free workshop for those persons that are interested in starting a business in Fairfax County.  The workshop provides an overview of start-up basics (licenses and permits), workforce services and training programs, and SBA resources including financing and certification programs. This session’s guest speakers in the Entrepreneurial Spotlight will be Scott and Cyndi Hoffman, the founders/owners of Ono Brewing Company in Chantilly. Click here to register.

September 14-15 — LEADS (Leadership, Excellence, and Adaptability of business built on pillars of Diversity and Sustainability). The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is partnering with FICCI, a prominent trade association based in India, for the second edition of a global thought-leadership initiative with an overarching theme of “Future of Partnerships.” This hybrid program brings together business leadership from 12 countries to describe their vision of the future of fundamental aspects of global economic prosperity built on pillars of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), engaging audiences from east, central and South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, West Asia, the Americas and the Pacific. Click here to register.

September 15 — 2021 Virginia Veterans & Military Affairs Conference. The Virginia Chamber Foundation, Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, and Virginia Department of Veterans Services’ third annual Virginia Veterans & Military Affairs Conference and presentation of the V3 Awards. Fairfax County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Victor Hoskins will  introduce two panel discussions: “Innovating the Workplace for Military Spouses” and “Virginia: The Best State for Military Families.” The FCEDA and the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance are program sponsors for the conference. Click here to register.

November 4 — Veteran & Military Family Career Day. Sponsored by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Fort Belvoir, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, this event will be held at the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir. Save the date! Registration information to come. If your company is interested in participating please click here.