CEO Guide to Site Selection

Washington, D.C.

PROXIMITY TO FEDERAL AGENCIES AND DECISION-MAKERS

While much of the growth in the D.C. region officially happens across the Potomac River in Virginia, the District attracts companies seeking talent and proximity to federal agencies and decision-makers. In May 2022, Boeing announced it will mov its headquarters from Chicago to the D.C. area in Arlington to be closer to key federal government officials. Competitor defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman are already based there. Downtown D.C.’s central business district is still trying to return workers to offices. In March 2022, a pandemic recovery committee on the city council approved a recommendation to explore transforming the district with more vibrant, mixed uses and to support the creation of job centers.

“As we stay focused on D.C.’s comeback, this is an opportunity to take a step back, engage the community and ensure our economic strategy aligns with our values and goals as a city…. This update comes at a critical moment— we’re equipped with lessons learned from the pandemic, we’re focused on the future of D.C.’s economy and we’re relentlessly committed to preserving the legacies of our residents and neighborhoods."
Muriel Bowser
Mayor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

No

QUALITY OF LIFE

N/A

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

Creative and Open Space Modernization Grant (DC): Offers a tax rebate of up to the lesser of 10% of the total value of qualified improvements or $1 million for QHTCs that renovate or improve their offices.

Business/Professional/Occupational Licenses (BPOL) Tax Exemption (Fairfax County, Virginia): Offers exclusions and adjustments to BPOL taxes for software development companies and government computer hardware and software sellers.

Qualified High-Tech Companies (QHTC): Offers tax credits to high-tech companies for training and wages paid to disadvantaged employees. Also offers sales and use tax exemptions and a reduced corporate franchise tax rate.

Virginia Jobs Investment Program: Offers variable in- centives for job creation for manufacturers, distribution centers, headquarters, inbound call centers, business IT and R&D.

EDCs

Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Economic Intelligence Dashboard

open.dc.gov/economic-intelligence

Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Business and Economic Development

dccouncil.gov/committees/business-economic-de-  velopment

Washington D.C. Economic Partnership

wdcep.com

SustainableDC

sustainable.dc.gov/economy

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

In October 2022, D.C. launched the first ever Mobility Innovation District (MID). The multi-year mobility project will improve equitable access for residents and visitors with a global innovation hub to show how mobility innovation can make a city more equitable, sustainable, safe and prosperous.

BIG DEALS

  • Experience management software company Qualtrics announced in December 2021 an expansion and 400 new jobs in Fairfax County.
  • Alarm.com announced in February 2022 an expansion and 180 new jobs in Fairfax County.
  • Technology services company Easy Dynamics Corporation announced in March 2022 an expansion and 61 new jobs in Fairfax County.
  • Boeing announced in May 2022 it will relocate its headquarters from Chicago to Arlington and also establish a research and technology hub in the city.
  • Commodities exchange company Nodal Exchange announced in June 2022 it will expand its headquarters in Fairfax County.
  • Emerging technology company Pangiam announced in September 2022 it will establish its global headquarters and create 201 new jobs in Fairfax County.

BIG COMPANIES

3 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Washington, D.C.:

  • Fannie Mae 
  • Danaher 
  • Carlyle Group

11 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Fairfax County, Virginia, including:

  • Freddie Mac
  • General Dynamics
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Capital One Financial
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

We are in a period of rapid change. Customer needs, technologies, competitors and internal capabilities require companies to review and update their strategies for the new realities. In this workshop, strategy experts Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison will show you a systematic approach to strategic planning to help you refine or redefine your business strategy and approach including:

  • Learn what you need to know to develop an effective strategic plan. Put the right players on the strategic planning team.
  • Develop strategies that leverage your company’s unique position in the marketplace. Lift your management team beyond “business as usual” thought processes and activities.
  • Translate your strategies into action. Achieve your vision for success and generate superior financial results.
  • Identify exactly what you need to do now to position your company for future success.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.