LoudounNow LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE
[ Vol. 3, No. 52 ]
[ loudounnow.com ]
[ November 15, 2018 ]
Hunting for the Hungry
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Democrats Line Up To Fill Wexton’s Senate Seat BY RENSS GREENE
Crystal City Business Improvement District
An aerial view of Crystal City, part of the National Landing area selected on Tuesday by Amazon for the location of a new headquarters complex.
Region Celebrates Amazon’s HQ2 Deal Virginia to Ramp Up Investment in Tech Training
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BY RENSS GREENE
lthough a site on the border of Loudoun and Fairfax counties was a top contender for Amazon’s second headquarters, the company announced Tuesday morning it will split the country’s largest economic development project between sites in Arlington and Alexandria and New York City. Amazon calls the Virginia site “National Landing,” referring, according to the office of Governor Ralph Northam, to parts of Pentagon City and Crystal City in Arlington County and Potomac Yard in the City of Alexandria. The company says it will bring about $2.5 billion in investment; 4 million square feet of energy-efficient office space, possibly expanding to 8 million; and estimated tax revenues of $3.2 billion over 20 years. The project was initially pitched as a single headquarters complex when the national site selection process was
launched earlier this year, spurring bids from scores of jurisdictions. However, Northern Virginia will share the project with New York City, which will get the other part of Amazon’s promised $5 billion investment. It also comes with a more unusual incentive than the typical offer of cash and tax breaks—although those are also included, linked to the company’s job creation. Virginia’s winning bid focused mainly on expanding the pool of tech talent in the region and improving its transportation infrastructure. “Virginia put together a proposal for Amazon that we believe represents a new model of economic development for the 21st century, and I’m excited to say that our innovative approach was successful,” said Gov. Ralph Northam in a statement announcing the company’s decision. “The majority of Virginia’s partnership proposal consists of investments in our education and transportation infrastructure that will bolster the features that
make Virginia so attractive: a strong and talented workforce, a stable and competitive business climate, and a world-class higher education system.” The state will work to double the number of annual number of graduates with computer science or closely related degrees, with a goal to add 25,000 to 35,000 graduates over the next 20 years. To do that, the state will establish a performance-based investment fund for higher education institutions to expand their bachelor’s degree programs, and spend up to $375 million over the next 20 years on George Mason University’s Arlington campus and a new Virginia Tech campus in Alexandria. That money is contingent on matching philanthropic fundraising by the universities. The state will also spend $50 million on science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science education in public schools and expanding internships for AMAZON >> 38
With a special election likely in January to fill the seat state Sen. Jennifer T. Wexton (D-33) will leave behind when she goes to Congress, local candidates are crowding for a chance at joining the state senate. Wexton has submitted her letter of resignation to the state Senate, setting the timeline for finding a replacement. In a letter to Sen. Stephen Newman (R23), president pro tempore of the senate, Wexton said her resignation is effective immediately upon her swearing-in to the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3. Last year, the General Assembly technically never adjourned, instead continuing the special session. Under state law, during a session, the president pro tempore of the Senate must order an election if a senator resigns. Sen. Steve Newman (R-23) said he expects to issue a writ of election Wednesday, Nov. 14, starting the five-day clock for the parties to choose their nominees. Both parties are expected this weekend to select their candidate to run in the special election. Wexton’s chief of staff, Abby Carter, said discussions are ongoing, with no concrete date set yet for the actual election. If the 33rd Senate District is to have representation when the next WEXTON >> 39
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
Del. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-86) introduces Democratic Congresswoman-elect Jennifer Wexton at her victory party Nov. 6. Boysko formally announced the next day that she would seek to replace Wexton in the state senate with Wexton’s endorsement.
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