Recent Advocacy

 The mission of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen businesses and the economic environment for all those who work, live, and do business in Arlington. A key part of accomplishing this mission is by advocating on behalf of the business community, which we approach in a decided, intentional, and strategic manner. 
For more information call (703) 525-2400 or email [email protected].

Examples of the Chamber's recent advocacy efforts may be found below:​​​​​​​The Arlington Chamber of Commerce joined a coalition of Maryland and Virginia chambers of commerce to urge the United States Congress to prioritize funding to the Department of Transportation's Emergency Relief Program to replace the Baltimore Key Bridge. 
​The Arlington Chamber supports the proposed site plan amendment to the interior area of VHC Health's main campus. The Arlington Chamber supports the zoning amendment, site plan amendment, grant funding and vacation of easement related to the relocation of the CoStar Group to Central Place Tower in Rosslyn. The Arlington Chamber supports the amendment to the Pentagon Centre Phased Development Site Plan to allow for more retail and more green space in the long-term of the site.  The Arlington Chamber supports the County Board re-adopting the Pentagon City Sector Plan, which was passed in 2022 following robust community conversation, and was voided due to a technical issue in the original advertisement. The Chamber supported the Plan in 2022. The Arlington Chamber supports the overall design of the 2025 Better Bus Network, but asked WMATA to retain the 3Y bus service, or create a comparable service along Langston Boulevard.  The Arlington Chamber supports two transportation projects included in the proposed FY2025-34 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Additionally, it asks the Board to mindful of economic realities like the high commercial vacancy rate when drafting long-term investment plans like the CIP. The Arlington Chamber supports the re-adoption of the Pentagon City Sector Plan, which was passed in 2022 following robust community conversation, and was voided due to a technical issue in the original advertisement. The Chamber supported the Plan in 2022. The Arlington Chamber supports the ordinance before the Planning Commission that allows for buildings in Rosslyn to have greater density than a 10.0 floor area ratio (FAR), which is currently the limit for buildings in Rosslyn.  The Arlington Chamber joined a coalition as part of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, supporting the Southside Express Lanes project before the Transportation Planning Board.  ​The Arlington Chamber supported the adoption of Arlington County's Solid Waste Management Plan, with an amendment to add more incentives-based programs and less mandates in the medium-phase term of the Plan. The Arlington Chamber submitted comments to the Trespass Towing Advisory Board, urging them to not include a second signature requirement in any potential new towing regulations, due to the negative impact it would have on property owners. The Chamber supports the Melwood Special GLUP Study, which would redevelop the site at 750 S. 23rd Street to deliver a new facility for Melwood and new affordable housing, and asked the County Board to adopt the GLUP Study document. The Arlington Chamber supports the adoption of two Zoning Ordinance amendments making parking regulations more flexible, and the advertisement of Zoning Ordinance amendments permitting live/work units and self-storage units as allowed uses.  The Arlington Chamber submitted comments to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, supporting grant funds for both the Crystal City to Washington National Airport (CC2DCA) connector and the expansion of the Shirlington Bus Station.  The Arlington Chamber sent a letter to the Zoning Committee supporting the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment revising the existing Floor-Area-Ratio (FAR) cap of 10.0 in the Rosslyn zoning district to allow more density.  The Arlington Chamber was one of several Chambers state-wide who signed a letter to the Governor and Budget Conferees, requesting the retention of the Local Composite Index (LCI) cap, which provides Arlington and other counties funds for preschool programs for at-risk children.  The Arlington Chamber supports the Planning Commission recommending two amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, concerning parking and large media screens, for adoption by the County Board. The Chamber supports the Melwood Special GLUP Study, which would redevelop the site at 750 S. 23rd Street to deliver a new facility for Melwood and new affordable housing, and asked the Planning Commission to recommend approval. The Virginia General Assembly held its veto session on April 17 to considered all vetoed bills and recommendations for amendments. This is the final Chamber report of the 2024 General Assembly session. The Arlington Chamber supports the County Board adopting one Zoning Amendment, part of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI), concerning parking regulations, and adopting a second amendment at the May meeting, also concerning parking. The Arlington Chamber supports Items 28 and 29 on Saturday's County Board agenda, requests to advertise amendments to the Zoning Ordinance which would provide greater flexibility in sign regulations and encourage the reuse of obsolete commercial buildings. These are part of the County's Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative.  The Arlington Chamber’s supports Item 2 on Saturday’s County Board agenda , a site plan amendment for outdoor dining space at Smokecraft Modern Barbecue, to ensure that Smokecraft has the same amount of outdoor dining space as other Arlington restaurants.  The Arlington Chamber asked the Arlington Planning Commission to support Item 1 on their April 10 agenda, Zoning Ordinance amendments concerning parking minimums for fitness centers and health clubs. The Chamber asked the Planning Commission to support this item, and all other related amendments that are part of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI).  The Arlington Chamber requested that the County Board restore funding for Arlington Economic Development and the Community Planning, Housing and Development Department for certain projects and positions that promote shared economic policy goals. The restoration of these funds, which are proposed to be cut, would also help generate tax revenue for the County.  The Arlington Chamber joined a coalition of business organizations endorsing the appointment of Jason Stanford, President of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, to serve on the technical working group to study Northern Virginia Transit, as a representative of the business community.  The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ application for EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funds for the Virginia Initiative for Building Efficiency (VIBE) program. The VIBE program would fund incentives for owners of older multifamily and commercial properties to renovate and adapt their buildings to be more energy efficient.  The Arlington Chamber supports the approval of a minor site plan amendment for the sidewalk right-of-way at 1051 North Highland St., to allow for a member restaurant, Smokecraft, to operate the level of outdoor dining permitted to other restaurants in Arlington. The Virginia General Assembly Session adjourned sine die on Saturday, March 9. The deadline for bills to pass out of committee was Monday, March 4. Included is a summary of the Chamber's policy advocacy at the conclusion of session.  The Arlington Chamber signed on to a coalition letter to members of the Virginia Budget Conference Committee, urging them to include appropriations for establishing a Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority in the final budget agreement. The establishment of the Sports Authority is necessary for the development of the proposed Potomac Yards Entertainment District, which is projected to create up to 30,000 new jobs in Virginia and potentially billions of dollars of new direct and indirect tax revenue.  The Arlington Chamber asked the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to support two bills on their docket. The two bills are HB825, which would create "At-Risk" add-on funds for state public school funds; and HB1247, which would define ratios for funding for teachers of English language learners in Virginia public schools. Unless extended, the Virginia General Assembly is currently scheduled to adjourn sine die on Saturday, March 9. The deadline for bills to pass out of committee is Monday, March 4. The Chamber’s policy priorities are in a positive position with roughly two weeks before adjournment of session.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee approve HB1216,  bill that would create a matching fund program for employers who wish to invest funds in their employees' child care costs.  The Arlington Chamber supports the County Board advertising the first three components of the second phase of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI), concerning regulations parking and large media screens. The three components advertised would be considered for adoption at the County Board's April meeting.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Education Committee approve two bills that the Chamber has supports - SB13, allowing for child care centers in office buildings, and SB199, which would allow for high school students to gain workforce credentials that can count for high school diplomas.  The Arlington Chamber urged the County Board to adopt the Goodwill site plan and rezoning ordinance. The site plan is part of a redevelopment of the Goodwill site, which will include a new retail and donation center with housing units and a child care center.  The Arlington Chamber urged the Senate Transportation Committee to opposed HB959. The bill would allow for localities to implement a requirement for a second signature requirement for removing illegally parking vehicles from private property, which would be an undue burden on businesses.  The Arlington Chamber asked the Senate Public Education Subcommittee to support three bills on their docket. The three bills are HB825, which would create "At-Risk" add-on funds for state public school funds; HB1247, which would define ratios for funding for teachers of English language learners in Virginia public schools; and HB1345, a bill that would  allow certain industry-recognized workforce credentials to count for credits towards a high school diploma. The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee oppose SB14. This bill, a cognate of HB805, would allow localities to levy a new additional sales and use tax.  The Arlington Chamber asked the Senate General Laws Committee to support HB1125, legislation that would create the Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program. The Arlington Chamber requested that the House General Laws Committee support SB217, legislation that would create the Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program. The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee support SB556, a bill extending the historic preservation tax credit.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate Local Government Committee support HB281, allowing for commercial offices to create child day care facilities in their buildings. ​ The Arlington Chamber urged the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee to support HB688, which would allow for the permanent sale of to-go cocktails by restaurants in Virginia.  The Arlington Chamber urged the House General Laws Committee to support SB635, which would allow for the permanent sale of to-go cocktails by restaurants in Virginia.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate General Laws Committee support HB894, which would permit public bodies like commissions and elected local and county-level boards greater flexibility to hold virtual or electronic meetings.  The Arlington Chamber urged the Planning Commission to recommend the Goodwill site plan and rezoning ordinance for adoption by the County Board at their February 14 meeting. The site plan is part of a redevelopment of the Goodwill site, which will include a new retail and donation center with housing units and a child care center.  The 2024 Virginia General Assembly session has reached crossover, marking the halfway point of the session and the point where only bills that have passed their chamber of origin can be considered further. The Chamber's legislative priorities are in a positive position.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House of Delegates vote "No" on HB959. The bill would allow for localities to implement a requirement for a second signature requirement for removing illegally parking vehicles from private property, which would be an undue burden on businesses. ​ The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Appropriations Committee's Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee support HB1125, a bill that would create the Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program. The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee oppose HB805. This bill was the merger of HB548 and similar legislation, which would allow for localities to levy a new additional sales and use tax.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate General Laws Committee oppose SB366, a companion bill of HB721 that would implement harmful rent control policies in Virginia.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Appropriations Committee support HB1514, the House bill that would create the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority and Financing Fund. The legislation would allow for the financing of the proposed Potomac Yard Entertainment District, which the Arlington Chamber strongly supports.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee support SB718, the Senate bill that would create the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority and Financing Fund. The legislation would allow for the financing of the proposed Potomac Yard Entertainment District, which the Arlington Chamber strongly supports.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee's Subcommittee #3 oppose HB458, legislation that would permit all Virginia localities to levy a new additional sales and use tax.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Appropriations Committee's Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee support HB1247, a bill that would redefine ratios for funding for teachers of English language learners in Virginia public schools.   The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Appropriations Committee's Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee support HB825, a bill that would create "At-Risk" add-on funds for state public school funds.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Courts of Justice Committee's Civil Subcommittee oppose SB721, a bill that would implement harmful rent control policies in Virginia.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Transportation Committee oppose the substituted HB959. The substituted bill would allow for localities to implement a requirement for a second signature requirement for removing illegally parking vehicles from private property, which would be an undue burden on businesses.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Education Committee's K-12 Education Subcommittee support HB1009, legislation that would allow certain industry-recognized workforce credentials to count for credits towards a high school diploma.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Housing and Consumer Protection Subcommittee oppose SB733, a bill that would implement harmful rent control policies in Virginia.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Professions/Occupations and Administration Process Subcommittee support HB1125, a bill that would create the Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program. The Virginia General Assembly began its legislative session three weeks ago, and two weeks remain before the crossover deadline of February 13. The Chamber's advocacy on bills pertaining to economic development, housing, zoning, child care and hospitality remain in a positive position. The Arlington Chamber requested that the Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the House Education Committee support HB1216, a bill that would create a matching fund program for employers who wish to invest funds in their employees' child care costs.  The Arlington Chamber urged the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee to support SB635, which would allow for the permanent sale of to-go cocktails by restaurants in Virginia.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Subcommittee #2 of the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee oppose HB721, which would create negative regulations on Virginia's rental industry and drive away critical investment in rental housing. The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate Public Education Subcommittee support SB199, legislation that would allow certain industry-recognized workforce credentials to count for credits towards a high school diploma. ​The Arlington Chamber requested that the House ABC/Gaming Subcommittee support HB688, which would allow for the permanent sale of to-go cocktails by restaurants in Virginia.  The Arlington Chamber supports the County Board adopting the site plan and GLUP amendments for the 1501 Arlington Boulevard redevelopment project. The project was recommended by the Planning Commission on January 10 for County Board adoption. The Arlington Chamber requested that Subcommittee #2 of the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee support HB281, allowing for commercial offices to create child day care facilities in their buildings.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee table SB247, legislation that would add new labor restrictions for building service employers.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee support SB233, the Faith in Housing for the Commonwealth Act. The legislation would remove certain zoning requirements that restrict houses of worship and churches from building affordable housing on land that they own.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the Virginia Senate General Laws and Technology Committee support SB217, legislation that would create the Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce joined a coalition of businesses and business organizations supporting a regional multimodal transportation network to serve Northern Virginia's economy.  The Arlington Chamber supports the site plan and GLUP amendments for the 1501 Arlington Boulevard redevelopment project up for consideration by the Planning Commission. This project will transform the site, currently including an aging motel and two small garden apartment buildings, into a modern multi-family residential building with 446 units, 24 of which are committed affordable units.  The Arlington Chamber joined a coalition letter to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, outlining recommendations for both WMATA and policymakers to take as part of realizing funding reform for WMATA. The Arlington Chamber supports the proposed Work Plan from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC). A strong, robust infrastructure network is essential for economic growth, and the Chamber looks forward to working alongside NVTC in its advocacy for finding a stable and dedicated source of funding for WMATA. The Arlington Chamber expresses support to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Financial Management Bureau for the Arlington County Microgrid Feasibility Study Project Scoping grant application. This grant application, which is aimed at fortifying energy supply and distribution for facilities that serve our most at-risk communities, represents a critical step towards achieving long-term resiliency for Arlington. Local nonprofit organization Melwood is undergoing a Special General Land Use Plan (GLUP) Study as part of a redevelopment of their property in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood. This redeveloped facility would house Melwood’s existing workforce development services and programs, while having additional stories that would contain approximately 100 affordable housing units. One third of those units would be set aside for persons with disabilities.  The Arlington Chamber supports the adoption of the Langston Boulevard Area Plan and related amendments. The Chamber requests the Board to adopt General Land Use Plan (GLUP) designations for the Langston Boulevard Plan Area by the middle of 2024. Updating the GLUP designations in a timely fashion will encourage development and encourage the realization of the Plan Goals. Also, the Chamber asks that the Board include two additional Area Plan Goals – the retention or expansion of retail and businesses, and the provision of parking resources. This would allow for specific incentives for development to retain and attract businesses of all sizes along the corridor, and for the provision of accessible and sufficient parking in the hubs of the Boulevard.   The Arlington Chamber supports the County Board Agenda item approving the Site Plan amendment to amend the Comprehensive Sign Plan for the Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn. The Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn is seeking to replace their current signage and modernize it to reflect national brand standards. The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board revise its Request to Advertise hearings for the Langston Boulevard Area Plan ahead of its meeting on October 14. The Chamber requests the Board to broaden the scope of the Request to Advertise hearings to include consideration of two additional Area Plan Goals – the retention or expansion of retail and commercial use, and the provision of parking resources. The Chamber also requests the inclusion of language in the document concerning bonus density calculations – clearly explaining for builders the additional density that they could obtain in development by retaining or expanding existing businesses, or by attracting new business to the corridor. The Chamber further request the Board to include a direction in the Plan for Staff to commence on a parking plan for the corridor. On September 23, the County Board is to adopt a Project Coordination Agreement and allocate existing funds for the construction of an eastern entrance to the Crystal City Metrorail station. This new entrance will provide more direct access to offices, shops, and residences along Crystal Drive, and offer a more direct connection to the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), the Metroway bus rapid transit network, and eventually Amtrak service. The Chamber has have long advocated for as a means to support economic development in Crystal City and in National Landing, and is pleased that the County Board is adopting the agreement and moving this project forward to construction and completion.  The Chamber is a supporter of Plan Langston Boulevard’s broad goal of development along the Langston Boulevard Corridor, and we do not seek a delay in the adoption of this important plan. The Chamber does urge several revisions to the Plan and urges the concurrent adoption of the Zoning Ordinance and General Land Use Plan (GLUP) Amendments.
The most crucial action that the County Board can take on the adoption of the Final Area Plan is to concurrently adopt the Zoning Ordinance and GLUP amendments that will create and implement the Plan’s land use designations and planning processes. For the Plan to have the desired positive impact, simultaneous adoption of the Plan and the package of these amendments is essential. The Chamber asks for a higher base density beyond 1.5 FAR to incentivize cost-effective development along the corridor. We also urge the County to include language that assigns a value to the creation and retention of small businesses to be used in the bonus density calculations.  The Arlington Chamber strongly supports Item 62 on the July 15 County Board Agenda, which will approve the Arlington Innovation Fund Catalyst Grant Program. This program, to be operated by Arlington Economic Development (AED), will provide see capital grants to Arlington’s early-stage tech entrepreneurs during the early stages of their company lifecycles. This program is designed to develop a homegrown pipeline of tech companies by providing grants of $25,000 to $50,000 to tech businesses who need an initial collection of capital. This pipeline will not only create jobs, but also create potential new office tenants in Arlington as we deal with a historically high commercial vacancy rate. The Arlington Chamber strongly supports Items 58 and 59 on the Agenda, Zoning amendments to establish regulations for outdoor cafes in public rights-of-way and on private property. This process will allow for TOSA operators to plan for their long-term future with outdoor dining as a revenue source, which kept many restaurants alive during the pandemic. However, the Chamber is concerned by the two-month gap between the expiration of the temporary rules and the adoption of the new permitting process for permanent outdoor seating areas. The Chamber is thankful that the County has emphasized that TOSAs will still be allowed to operate in the interim provided that applicants work in good faith. We are willing and able to work with the County and engage with our restaurant members over this period to ensure that this process is as a smooth as possible for TOSA operators​. The Arlington Chamber supports the proposed permanent amendments to the Zoning Ordinance concerning outdoor dining and seating spaces. The Chamber has advocated over the past three years for the retention of Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas (TOSAs) and the implementation of regulations to solidify their status as permanent additions to Arlington’s streetscape. We hope that the County Board ultimately adopts the proposed amendments at the July 15 Board meeting. We strongly urge the County to employ the instruments and policies needed to ensure a smooth transition for restaurants, to be clear about the transition period and the enforcement mechanisms for outdoor dining. Additionally, the Chamber asks Staff to that the permit process is as seamless as feasibly possible. The Chamber is willing and able to assist the County in this process, particularly in terms of spreading information about the process to restaurants. The Arlington Chamber supports Requests to Advertise public hearings to consider permanent amendments to the Zoning Ordinance concerning outdoor dining and seating spaces. The Chamber has advocated over the past three years for the retention of Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas (TOSAs) and the implementation of regulations to solidify their status as permanent additions to Arlington’s streetscape. We hope that the County Board passes this Request to Advertise, and ultimately adopts the proposed amendments at the July 15 Board meeting. We strongly urge the County to employ the instruments and policies needed to ensure a smooth transition for restaurants, as well as ensure preparation for the number of establishments seeking permits after the July Board meeting, so that the process can be seamless. ​The Arlington Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the continued works on the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. As a result, the Chamber supports items on the June 13 County Board Agenda; permitting the by-right operation of ghost kitchens, restaurant direct meal delivery, shared commercial kitchens and large-scale catering establishments. The Chamber is excited by the opportunities that the Zoning amendments would provide to our restaurants. Permitting restaurants to have food delivery services and shared commercial kitchen spaces by right will allow for restaurants to retain more of their revenue, and provide them with flexibility to adapt to the changing restaurant economy. We further suggest that the County consider increased adaptability for new uses and expedited timeframes for approval of these new uses. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) application to the Commuter Choice grant program for its Crystal City Station project. The Crystal City station project has the potential to improve the transportation landscape in our community by offering a new option for commuters and increasing the capacity of the existing VRE system, the busiest in Virginia. There is currently more than $4 billion of investment planned or underway in transportation improvements within National Landing to support this strategy. VRE has already secured most of the $68.9 million cost for the station project, but requiring additional funding. We urge the NVTC to approve this grant request. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports the adoption of the Sunrise Senior Living Special General Land Use Plan (GLUP) Study document, and the advertisement of public hearings for the Sunrise North Glebe Road GLUP Amendment. The proposed project will provide a much-needed increase of 35 additional units in a conveniently accessible location in North Arlington. Northern Virginia currently faces a shortage of senior housing units, and this project would help address this issue. We strongly urge the County Board to vote for the document and for the advertising of the public hearings. We also ask that the Board support the Sunrise North Glebe project at its public hearings and the subsequent steps towards its final adoption. ​The Arlington Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the continued works on the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. As a result, we support Item 10 on the May 13 County Board Agenda; the ordinance adopting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to permit research spaces, development and laboratory uses, and audio-visual broadcasting uses. As we have stated in our previous letters, these items are part of a necessary long-term reimagination of the Zoning Ordinance and how Arlington can develop regulations that promote the attraction of new and emerging business sectors. We appreciate this step forward, and we encourage continued work beyond the proposed amendments that provides for innovation. The Arlington Chamber expressed support for the acceptance of the Sunrise Senior Living Special General Land Use Plan Study document, and support for recommending the request to advertise public hearings for the Sunrise North Glebe Road GLUP Amendment. Sunrise’s North Glebe Road property has been an integral part of the Arlington community for almost 40 years. The proposed Sunrise project would utilize the existing land Sunrise owns to accommodate a larger number of senior citizens and replace the existing facility as it nears the end of its operational life. The costs to County infrastructure for this project are minimal, and it will provide 80 additional jobs to the County. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the continued works on the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. As a result, we support Items 13 and 28 on the April 22 County Board Agenda; the ordinance adopting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to allow for indoor recreation, and the Request to Advertise other amendments allowing for ghost kitchens, by-right food delivery services and large-scale catering establishments. This amendments would not only continue to open Arlington business districts to new and emerging business sectors, but also provide greater opportunities for Arlington restaurants to utilize their own food delivery or catering, saving themselves the hassle of utilizing third-party services.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the County remove Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) accreditation as a mandatory requirement for the restaurants within the Clarendon Live Entertainment Group (CLEG). Until last year, ARI accreditation was an optional program open to all restaurants, and several Chamber members who had joined the program have expressed positive results. However, the Chamber is concerned with the program being a mandate for all, and is asking the County restore its previous status as an optional initiative. The Chamber is concerned that based on input from a member restaurant that the standards in ARI can confuse employers, and may not be necessarily beneficial to every single affected restaurant. The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with the County to create a solution.  The Virginia Supreme Court ruled in Berry vs. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors that Fairfax County’s zoning ordinance was void due to its adoption occurring at an online public hearing. The Court specifically ruled that any action that Fairfax County took at virtual public hearings that was beyond the essential business of government was not adhering to the Open Meetings laws that existed in the Commonwealth before July 2021. The Chamber is extremely concerned that any legislation actions that took place at municipal and county virtual public hearings before July 2021 concerning zoning, permitting or the approval of development projects now faces legal uncertainty. Arlington and other Chambers, along with some business organizations, submitted a letter to Governor Youngkin urging that the General Assembly and himself must act to contain the consequences of this rules. We specifically are asking for legal language, in the budget amendments or through separate legislation, that either overturns the Court decision or contains the effects of the ruling to the specific ordinance in Fairfax County. The Arlington Chamber requests that the County restore the positions of Assistant Director in Arlington Economic Development, and Associate Planner in the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development. Restoring the Assistant Director position will ensure that Arlington Economic Development has the sufficient administrative resources to achieve its goals of attracting and retaining businesses in Arlington, which has long-term positive effects on taxes and our economic growth. Restoring the Associate Planner position will also mitigate delays as the Department moves forward in significant projects such as the Future of Outdoor Dining (FOOD) Study and Plan Langston Boulevard. ​ The Arlington Chamber strongly supported the advertisement of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance permitting the creation of medical and dental laboratories, flexible research spaces, and audio-visual broadcasting spaces in commercial buildings, as part of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. The Initiative is a welcomed part of reimagining the Zoning Ordinance to reflect the businesses of the 21st century and make Arlington more nimble in attracting businesses in sectors that did not exist when the Zoning Ordinance was first written. The Chamber supports the goals of the ordinance as greater density is a benefit to the residents and to the economy of Arlington. The Chamber specifically supports an ordinance with no annual cap on permits, since a cap would create an artificial limit on the benefits that a process like this provides.  The Arlington Chamber signed with other Chambers and businesses organizations to a letter from the Washington Region Transportation Coalition, formerly the Northern Virginia Transportation Coalition concerning WMATA’s proposed FY 2024 Budget. The letter supports much of the proposed budget for WMATA but urges the Authority leadership to take greater action to ensure sustainably funded operations in future years. The Chamber believes that a reliable and sustainable transportation system is vital to Arlington’s economy and to its residents. The Chamber supports the proposed service increases, especially to the Orange and Yellow lines, and is in support of the Coalition’s emphasis on more regional cooperation in addressing Metrorail and Metrobus issues. The Chamber supported Northeastern University’s request for a federal appropriation for the acquisition of Artificial Intelligence (AI) equipment for educational and workforce capabilities. Northeastern requests funds for the acquisition as a means to teach its students and regional workers how to implement and operate AI technology, a growing component of many jobs in the technology sector. The Chamber supports Northeastern’s ongoing efforts to create a space to educate students and members of the Arlington community on AI in the interest of technological advancement. The Chamber supported Arlington Economic Development’s request for a federal appropriation for the Arlington Talent Pilot Program (ATPP). The Program helps software development employers find employees quickly by leveraging an applied work model designed to accommodate workers. Arlington Economic Development intends to scale up this program and needs additional funding to do so. We support this program as a means to strengthen Arlington’s ability to attract and recruit workforce talent. The Chamber supported Marymount University’s request for a federal appropriation for its project proposal, “Addressing the Nursing Shortage by Increasing the Number of Under-represented Culturally Competent Nurses.” The project would increase capacity for its accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and aim to bring underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into the nursing workforce. The metropolitan area has faced a nursing shortage for years, and this proposal would help reduce the strain on the health care industry in Arlington by bringing more nurses from more backgrounds into the fold. The Chamber supported George Mason University’s request for a federal appropriation for its proposed Center for AI Innovation for Economic Competitiveness. The Center would help develop the Commonwealth’s AI strategy, track Virginia’s business AI adoption rates, and expand the talent pipeline for AI development through training and reskilling programs. The Center would be beneficial to the economic competitiveness of Arlington and of Northern Virginia as AI technologies become more commonplace. The 2023 Virginia General Assembly session is in its final week. The Chamber's legislative priorities are in strong shape. Legislation the Chamber supported on transportation funding, workforce development, tax policies and hiring flexibility have either passed the General Assembly or are all still under consideration. Two bills that the Chamber opposed failed to pass the House of Delegates. The Arlington Chamber signed onto a letter with other Chambers and business organizations in support of the proposed Springfield, Virginia site of the new FBI headquarters. The Springfield location, one of three still in consideration, is uniquely situated among the region’s transit networks and the region’s higher education institutions. Northern Virginia is a national leader in industries such as cybersecurity, information technology and national security, ensuring a strong workforce pipeline for the Bureau. A Springfield headquarters would be beneficial to the Northern Virginia region as a whole.  The 2023 Virginia General Assembly session is in its final week. The Chamber's legislative priorities are in strong shape. Legislation the Chamber supported on transportation funding, workforce development, tax policies and hiring flexibility have either passed the General Assembly or are all still under consideration. Two bills that the Chamber opposed failed to pass the House of Delegates. The Arlington Chamber expresses support for the Strategic Transformation Plan. This Plan is a high-level overview of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)’s goals for the future. The Chamber is especially supportive of the emphasis placed on regional opportunity and collaboration. Arlington is home to eleven Metrorail stations and multiple Metrobus lines; it serves as a key factor in Arlington’s economic development. Fostering strong relationships between WMATA, Arlington and other counties is essential to a prosperous metropolitan area. The 2023 Virginia General Assembly session has reached crossover, marking the halfway point of the session and the point where only bills that passed their respective chamber can be considered further. The Chamber's legislative priorities are in strong shape. Legislation the Chamber supported on transportation funding, workforce development, tax policies and hiring flexibility are all still under consideration by the General Assembly. Two bills that the Chamber opposed failed to pass the House of Delegates.​​
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