Welcome to the SIMCAC Weekly Newsletter....
....Where each week, we'll share SIMCAC announcements, member spotlights, local/national industry news, upcoming events, and recaps of past ones! 

Event Recap: "Amazon HQ2: What does it mean for our companies and communities?"

      On Wednesday, January 21, about 80 attendees heard about the ramifications of Amazon moving their HQ2 into National Landing. Experts from academia, industry, and government shared their insights on how technology, entrepreneurship, and the labor and housing market will experience booms in the years to come. The moderator, Mike Cannon, guided the conversation and ensured each panelist provided a valuable perspective of how the new headquarters will impact stakeholders.
 
      Steve Hartell, the Director of Public Policy at Amazon, shared the many reasons National Landing was chosen. He believed there is an inextricable link between the success of Amazon and local transportation, the labor market, local and state investments made into the community. The Metro will serve more people with the expansion and renovation of stations in the area. The talent in the labor market will help amazon fill positions with a local workforce. The infrastructure will allow for new offices. The impacts of Amazon will be far reaching and will be seen throughout the community. Steve commented, “National Landing is a long-term opportunity for us to make a difference in this community.”
 
      Arlington County representatives, Jack Belcher and Christina Winn, shared the enthusiasm for National Landing. The overarching reason is that investments made into the infrastructure will serve all citizens and help attract a strong base of entrepreneurs, companies, and workers who could utilize the space in Crystal City. Amazon moving into the area will allow for the vacancy rate to decrease – which the localities have struggled to decrease since BRAC. The new leases will boost the tax base and help the County meet its immediate needs and allow for tax dollars to be reinvested into the community.
 
      Representatives from Virginia Tech, Brandy Salmon and Charles Clancy, were able to address how the Commonwealth’s investment into the education system will create a strong pipeline of talent for Amazon and companies in the technology sector. With over one billion dollars invested into education and the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, there will be unparalleled opportunities for groundbreaking research. “The big wildcard we are looking at is quantum computing and how it will allow for greater innovation in this region,” touted Charles Clancy.
 
      Christie Struckman of Gartner addressed a concern many local-area executives have at the top of their list. What about retaining talent, in an already tight labor market, after Amazon moves into Arlington? She had a five point plan and in one of her points, she directly addressed “Create an EVP, Employee Value Proposition, and make sure you [managers and business owners] allow employees to see their value.” Ensuring this element into the plan is important for employee retention and worker satisfaction. In the end, you want to keep the good workers, and ensure they stay in Arlington and with your company for the right reasons.
 
      The panel agreed. Arlington’s future is bright. Many attendees left with the same impression. There is no doubt that the harmonious interplay between government and industry will last for years to come.