Arlington Gets $4.2M For Innovation, Office Redevelopment Study

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington has received about $4.2 million in GO Virginia grant funding to support a regional innovation initiative and a study of future office demand across Virginia’s urban centers, Arlington Economic Development announced Monday.

The bulk of the funding, about $3.9 million, will support the National Innovation Quarter, or National IQ, a regional effort spanning Arlington and Alexandria. The project is intended to accelerate commercialization, company formation and innovation tied to national security.

The grant was part of more than $5.6 million in GO Virginia grants announced by Gov. Abigail Spanberger to strengthen industry sectors, expand workforce pathways and support economic diversification across Virginia.

“ This investment reinforces Arlington’s role as a driver of innovation in Northern Virginia and strengthens our ability to translate world-class talent and federal expertise into growing companies and high-quality jobs,” said Kate Ange, deputy director of Arlington Economic Development. “With GO Virginia’s support, we can accelerate the partnerships and infrastructure needed to support startups and scale emerging technologies right here in Arlington.”

Funding To Support Startup Programs, Innovation Lab

Over the next two years, the funding will support expanded startup acceleration and company scaling programs, development of an Innovation Lab for secure collaboration and prototyping, workforce initiatives and coordination among industry, academic and government partners.

The project focuses on dual-use technologies, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced hardware that serve commercial and national security markets.

Also See ...

• Construction Begins On 94-Unit Arlington Apartment Conversion Across From Virginia Square Metro
• Arlington Planners To Review Crystal City Office-To-Apartment Proposal
• 174 GDIT Pentagon Workers Could Face Layoffs In August

National IQ includes collaboration among Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Amazon, National Landing Business Improvement District, JBG Smith, SAIC, Virginia Tech and other industry partners. Matching funds came from more than a dozen regional stakeholders.

“GO Virginia investments like this help ensure that Arlington remains competitive in fast-growing industries and continues to create opportunities for residents and businesses alike,” said Brandon Bedford, acting director of AED’s Business Investment Group. “By strengthening our innovation ecosystem, we are positioning Arlington to lead in the technologies that will define the future economy.”

Office Demand Study Also Funded

Arlington Economic Development also received a $250,000 competitive planning grant to lead a study on the future of office demand and commercial real estate in Northern Virginia, Greater Richmond and Hampton Roads.

The study is expected to examine public and private strategies to reinvest in, reposition and redevelop obsolete office space.

The project includes Arlington County, Fairfax County, Alexandria, the NOVA Economic Development Alliance, Henrico County, Richmond, the Greater Richmond Partnership, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, the Hampton Roads Alliance and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.