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THE CHALLENGE
Arlington County, with over 76% of its workforce holding college degrees and a rapidly evolving tech sector, offered a dynamic environment for companies and entrepreneurs. As a national leader in business-friendly policy and public-private collaboration, the County benefited from proximity to the nation's capital and high-profile employers like Amazon and CoStar Group. However, Arlington faced evolving challenges including hybrid work's impact on office space demand, rising vacancy rates, and persistent wealth and access disparities among residents, especially Black and Latino families, highlighting the need for inclusive economic strategies.
THE CIVIC SOLUTION
CivicSol partner Steven Pedigo supported Arlington Economic Development in delivering the County's first strategic plan in over a decade—a five-year roadmap designed to strengthen its economic foundation while embracing a bold, inclusive vision for the future. The planning process involved comprehensive demographic and economic assessment, peer benchmarking, industry cluster evaluation, and engaging stakeholders across sectors and communities.
The resulting strategy—framed by the "All in Arlington" brand—articulates five interconnected goals: attracting business investment, revitalizing commercial areas, building a robust tech economy, strengthening the small business ecosystem, and investing in arts, culture, and tourism. The plan emphasizes equitable development, inclusive talent pipelines, sector-based workforce readiness, and strategic reuse of commercial space.
THE IMPACT
With plans to foster placemaking, entrepreneurship, and international investment, Arlington is charting a path forward as a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready economy. The strategy positions the County to leverage its strong foundation in higher education, advanced industries, and highly educated workforce while addressing equity challenges and adapting to changing work patterns. This comprehensive approach demonstrates how established economic leaders can evolve their strategies to address contemporary challenges while maintaining competitive advantages in an increasingly dynamic economic landscape.
"After a decade without a strategic plan, we needed something bold. 'All in Arlington' captures exactly who we want to be."
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