►
From YouTube: Jay Fisette on Economic Competitiveness
Description
Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette addresses the County's economic competitiveness at the Board's annual organizational meeting, January 1, 2014.
A
A
Today,
other
localities
are
learning
from
us
and
making
smarter
planning
decisions
themselves.
The
silver
line
is
bringing
rail
to
tysons
and
beyond.
Dc
is
revitalizing
and
creating
new
office
markets.
Meanwhile,
the
federal
government
is
putting
lease
limits
on
federal
tenant
space
that
disadvantaged
Arlington's
properties.
The
regional
demand
for
office
space
is
also
being
reduced
by
federal
government
government
budget
shenanigans
and
uncertainty,
coupled
with
increased
teleworking
and
more
firms
using
hoteling
where
there
is
open,
shared
workspace
and
less
square
footage
per
person.
A
The
changing
workplace
means
that,
even
as
we
see
job
growth,
we
may
not
see
a
large
demand
for
office
space.
As
chair
in
2005,
we
had
a
full
frontal
assault
from
the
Defense
Department's
Base
Realignment,
and
closure
Brack
recommendations.
It
was
a
shock
we
saved
in
the
end
one
key
agency,
yet
Arlington
was
hit
harder
than
any
community
in
the
nation
losing
17,000
jobs
over
the
next
ten
years.
A
In
response,
we
took
charge
of
our
future
and
created
a
vision
for
a
new,
more
dynamic
and
appealing
Crystal
City
Brack
losses
continued,
but
we
have
shown
resilience
to
a
challenge
that
would
have
crippled
many
communities.
I
was
also
chair,
another
reminiscence,
when
2001
when
we
were
struck
by
a
terrorist
attack,
along
with
the
challenge
to
our
psyche,
there
was
a
tangible
threat
to
our
economy,
often
forgotten.
As
National
Airport
was
shut
down.
A
It
was
unclear
whether
it
would
ever
reopen
that
Airport
is
a
major
anchor
to
our
local
and
regional
economy.
We
fought
hard
developed,
a
public-private
coalition
advocated
at
the
highest
levels
and
our
airport
reopened.
The
point
is
that
Arlington
has
amazing
assets
that
will
continue
to
be
a
fundamental
part
of
our
economic
strength.
Our
location
is
not
going
to
change.
A
National
Airport
and
the
Pentagon
are
not
going
anywhere
and
our
outstanding
transportation
system,
smart
growth
policies,
great
schools
and
creative
class
workforce
will
be
protected
and
enhanced.
We
have
already
shown
that
wind
challenge
we
can
step
up,
remain
and
remain
the
best
place
in
America
to
start
and
grow
a
business
we've
already
taken
some
steps,
and
this
year
we
will
do
more
so
I
plan.
We
plan
to
lay
the
groundwork
for
Arlington
to
become
a
hub
for
the
innovation
economy,
the
21st
century
economy
of
flexible
creative
enterprises
and
high
tech
services.
A
I
have
personally
always
described
Arlington
as
a
great
place
to
do
business.
This
government
strives
to
give
great
customer
service
not
long
ago.
We
overhauled
and
greatly
improved
our
building
permitting
process.
Our
small
business
initiative
and
biz
launch
have
helped
businesses
establish
themselves
and
thrive.
A
Recently,
my
board
colleagues
and
I
joined
the
county
manager's
listening
tour
with
representatives
of
small
and
large
businesses
throughout
Arlington.
Our
goal
was
to
learn
about
their
experiences
in
dealing
with
county
government
and
hear
their
suggestions.
We
learned
that
they
love
our
community
and
they
value
the
business
opportunities
that
are
here.
We
heard
that
we
can
do
more
to
streamline
processes,
improve
predictability
and
even
improve
customer
service.
My
goal
is
to
ensure
that
county
government
facilitates
new
business
creation.
A
Arlington
is
uniquely
positioned
as
the
home
for
early-stage
technology
product
oriented
startups,
with
the
potential
to
sell
those
products
to
the
federal
government,
particularly
in
the
area
of
national
security.
The
rosslyn
boston
quarter
is
approaching
a
critical
mass
of
science
technology,
art,
research
and
education
in
2014.
We
will
accelerate
the
growth
of
that
ecosystem
of
start-up
technology.
Product
companies
through
a
new
public-private
partnership
funded
by
seven
hundred
thousand
dollars
in
combined
state
funds
and
county
matching
funds
to
will
strengthen
our
partnerships.
A
For
we'll
update
our
retail
action
plan,
we
establish
the
initial
plan
for
first
floor
retail
in
my
early
years
on
the
board
and
it's
time
for
a
refresh.
The
update
will
be
expanded
to
areas
beyond
the
rosslyn
boston
quarter
and
will
strengthen
support
and
opportunities
for
small
businesses
and
retailers.
Five
will
work
with
our
commissions.
The
board
relies
heavily
on
the
guidance
and
efforts
of
many
talented,
dedicated
residents
who
serve
in
our
county
commissions.
A
The
Planning
Commission
has
a
unique,
an
essential
role
and
I
want
to
support
its
efforts
to
find
efficiencies
and
improvements
in
its
own
procedures,
and
six
will
be
flexible
where
possible.
One
area
for
study
involves
our
largest
mall.
Both
ballston,
mall
and
fashion
center
are
planning
major
makeovers
that
will
be
good
for
them,
and
good
for
the
community
and
they'll
need
our
help.