By ​Susan T. Anderson, Communications Director, Arlington Commissioner of Revenue’s Office

When someone opens a business in Arlington, the Business Tax Division of the Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue’s Office is where to begin the process. There, a business inspector will answer questions about the six different types of Arlington County business taxes. While these taxes are assessed by Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid H. Morroy, it is the County Board who decides on the types of taxes and sets the rates. The revenue from the taxes and fees are “for the support of the County government, the payment of the County debt, and for other County purposes.” 

​By Carol Singer, Owner, Arlington Promotional Products, LLC
 
In July 2002, when I started Arlington Promotional Products, LLC, I knew right away that I had to join the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. I also joined six other networking groups. That’s right – I joined every networking group I could identify!
 
Well, after 16 years, I am still active in the Arlington Chamber, but the other networking groups have come and gone. Why? The Chamber members made me feel welcomed. They get it. They understand the importance of networking, developing strong relationships, and the concept of people wanting to work with people they know, trust, and like. And very few are pushy. It’s you they want to get to know.

By John Welsh, Vice President, Multifamily Group, AHC, Inc.

Like bridges and roads, affordable housing is an investment in a community’s infrastructure. Along with numerous social benefits, housing affordability supports diverse jobs and wage levels and also attracts and retains workers – critical to a community’s long-term economic success.
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Housing affordability also contributes to a community’s quality of life – increasingly important to businesses. Amazon is a recent example. When outlining preferences for a new HQ2, the organization prioritized “a diversity of housing options” and “the presence and support of a diverse population.”  

By Jeanine Finch, Acting Business Ombudsman, Arlington County Government

It’s no secret that just starting a business is hard work. When you add in the element of construction or building, getting your business up and running can be even harder. Here in Arlington County we wanted to make sure you knew about a free service to hopefully make the process a little easier for you. What’s this service you ask? A code consultation with the Arlington County Inspection Services Division (ISD), our in-house experts on all things building code!

By Carla A. Fleming, CEO and Founder, Pivoting Strategies

What’s your favorite TV channel to watch when you’re looking for some down time? My favorite channel is Home and Garden TV. The shows I love to watch are the ones where people are searching for the type of home they want. At the beginning of the search, they’re focused on the style of house or neighborhood they want to live in. As they go through the process, the conversation shifts from the lifestyle they currently have to who they need to become. That’s why they’re often surprised by the home they select.
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Companies today are going through a similar experience. According to Gartner, 63 percent of CEOs are likely to change their business models by 2020. The question is what’s the main reason why CEOs radically rethink their company’s business model?