economic development | FFXnow

Published February 28, 2024 at 2:30PM

Down the Line Sports Center's Fairfax location has five indoor pickleball courts (courtesy Fairfax City Economic Development)

Professional pickleball players, local officials and community members are expected to turn out in abundance for the upcoming grand opening of Down the Line Sports Center in Fairfax City.

After a soft opening in early February, the indoor pickleball facility at Courthouse Plaza (10390 Willard Way) will officially introduce itself to the city tomorrow (Thursday). The event will kick off at 5 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting, followed by a meet-and-greet with six pro athletes visiting from around the country.

Around Town

Vienna Restaurant Week to return for third year with over 40 participants

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2024 at 10:15AM | Updated February 28, 2024 at 4:32PM

Businesses in and near Vienna will offer special deals during Vienna Restaurant Week, returning March 3-10, 2024 (courtesy Caboose Tavern)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m. on 2/28/2024) The Town of Vienna will kick off March with its third annual Restaurant Week.

More than 40 restaurants in the town will offer special deals during the promotional campaign, which will run from March 3-10. For the first time, the town will celebrate the week by hosting a drop-in social event near the Town Green on Tuesday, March 5 from 4-6 p.m. with giveaways and live music.

Around Town

Fairfax City Restaurant Week returns soon with diverse cuisine options

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published February 22, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated August 1, 2024 at 10:18AM

The Korean restaurant Meokja Meokja is among the 2024 participants in Fairfax City Restaurant Week (courtesy Meokja Meokja

(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Fairfax City will soon invite community members to experience cuisines from Azerbaijan and the Caribbean to Ireland and Vietnam for its seventh annual Restaurant Week.

From Monday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, March 3, promotions will be available to diners at more than 25 restaurants, according to the event’s website.

News

Local experts propose strategies for turning Richmond Highway into vibrant community hub

By James Jarvis

Published February 9, 2024 at 11:45AM

Cars head south on Richmond Highway (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Public art and social spaces will be key to transforming southern Richmond Highway into a community, a panel of local land use experts says.

Last week, the consulting nonprofit Urban Land Institute (ULI) presented recommendations at the Hybla Valley Community Center for how to foster economic growth in the corridor, while preserving its cultural identity through “placemaking.”

Around Town

Space industry to descend on Tysons for inaugural summit

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 16, 2024 at 2:45PM

The inaugural Northern Virginia Space and Satellite Summit will take place at Boro Tower in Tysons on Jan. 18, 2024 (courtesy Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce)

The first-ever Northern Virginia Space and Satellite Summit is about to launch in Tysons.

Organized by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event will bring space industry leaders and experts to the Womble Bond Dickinson office in Boro Tower (8350 Broad Street, Suite 1500) on Thursday, Jan. 18.

News

Mason District’s new supervisor to focus on pedestrian safety and economic growth in first term

By James Jarvis

Published January 9, 2024 at 2:30PM

Supervisor Andres Jimenez (courtesy of Andres Jimenez)

For the first time this century, Fairfax County’s Mason District has a new supervisor.

In his first week since succeeding Penny Gross, who retired in December after 27 years in the position, Andres Jimenez says he has been actively engaging with constituents to tackle issues ranging from transportation to art projects and economic development.

Around Town

Fairfax City lines up artisans and businesses for new retail incubator store

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 28, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated July 5, 2024 at 6:18PM

The retail incubator store Wander In will showcase over 30 artisans and small businesses in Old Town Fairfax (courtesy OTFBA)

The winter gift-giving season has come to a close, but a new retail incubator store in Fairfax City will encourage the community to shop local year-round.

Set for a grand opening at 10 a.m. this Saturday (Dec. 30), Wander In will host more than two dozen painters, candle-makers and other artisans in a shared retail space at 3950 University Drive, Suite 211 in Old Town Plaza.

Countywide

County profiles communities, shopping centers to drive economic development

By Fatimah Waseem

Published December 26, 2023 at 3:00PM

Bailey's Crossroads was one of two communities profiled for Fairfax County's place-led economic development pilot program (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County is creating commercial profiles of different neighborhoods to guide future economic development and placemaking.

At an economic initiatives committee meeting on Dec. 12, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors discussed a place-led economic development pilot program that will provide snapshots of communities throughout the county.

News

Herndon startup among five to get grants from inaugural Fairfax Founders Fund

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 20, 2023 at 11:00AM

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust with NearStar Fusion CEO Amit Singh and Vice President and co-founder Christopher Faranetta (via NearStar Fusion/FCEDA)

A medical device printer in Herndon is among five local companies that will receive funding from Fairfax County’s new grant program for startups.

3D Orthobiologic Solutions (3DOS), which launched in 2019, seeks to manufacture 3D-printed medical devices and dental impacts.

News

Fairfax to launch retail store for nurturing local artisans, entrepreneurs

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 1, 2023 at 3:30PM

Fairfax City has been working to promote its downtown retail (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax City is browsing for makers of art, crafts and other products who want to expand beyond an online shop or farmers’ market stall but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full storefront.

Those are the budding entrepreneurs that the Fairfax City Economic Development team (FCED) hopes to attract to Wander In, an upcoming retail incubator store that the city is developing with the Old Town Fairfax Business Association (OTFBA).