The Arc Opens Nominations for Employers
The Arc of Northern Virginia has announced that they will recognize companies that provide employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at their November 9, “illuminating Inclusion” Gala. The Arc encourages nominations from individual and companies, including self-nominations, for those that employ people with IDD in Fairfax County, Arlington County, City of Falls Church or City of Alexandria by July 26. Nominations can be made by the employer, job coach or disability service provider, or parent/family of the employee with IDD. Nominations for the “Commitment to Employment of Persons with Disabilities Awards” can be submitted online at thearcofnova.org/employer-award.
Local Wine Spectator Award
The 2024 Wine Spectator Awards have been announced and 64 Virginia restaurants were honored for their wine programs. Awards were given to 3,700 establishments in 50 states and more than 75 countries and territories in three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and the Grand Award. Trio Grill in Falls Church was one of 2,150 restaurants to receive an Award of Excellence and the Inn at Little Washington was one of 96 restaurants to receive the Grand Award.
Real Estate Update on Tuesday
The F.C. Chamber is hosting speaker Ryan McLaughlin, CEO of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) at the luncheon on Tuesday, July 16. He will give an update on the trends and outlook. The luncheon will be held at Italian Café, 11:30 a.m. — 1:15 p.m. and is open to members and guests with advance reservations at tinyurl.com/fcnpbnn111.
Fortunoff® Backyard Store Opens
The first Fortunoff Backyard Store of three opening in Northern Virginia this summer has opened in Falls Church at 3535 South Jefferson Street. The newest Fortunoff has approximately 17,800 square feet to feature the company’s extensive line of outdoor furniture in materials including cast aluminum, teak, wicker, and polymer. It also offers a full range of patio and in-pool accessories from string lights and outdoor umbrellas to pool floats and loungers. The other locations in Woodbridge and Sterling mark the expansion of the store which has celebrated 100 years in New York. There are now 27 Fortunoff Backyard Stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania including the three opening in Virginia.
Ummah Market Opening Soon
An international grocery store, Ummah Market, is expected to open in the Bailey’s Crossroads area next month. While it will cater to the local Hispanic population, it will also carry healthy items from Turkey, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. A separate café will operate within the store, serving Turkish cuisine. This is the second market founded by CEO Jawad Yousufi, with his brothers. An immigrant of Afghanistan, the first opened in the Richmond area in 2020 and expansion is under consideration.
Local Satellites Delivered
Northrop Grumman has delivered two satellites to Vandenberg Space Force Base for Space Norway’s Artic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM). They are to launch this month on a SpaceX Falcon rocket and will deliver commercial broadband and protected military communications to the Artic region. It will carry communication payloads from Viasat, the Norwegian military, and the U.S. The joint Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization (EPS-R) will be the first U.S. military payload to operate on a commercial space vehicle operated by an international partner.
Virginia Ranked No. 1 for Customized Workforce Training
Virginia is ranked No. 1 in the nation for Customized Workforce Training in the 20th annual Business Facilities Rankings Report, the second year in a row that the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program has earned the No. 1 recognition. The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is a workforce initiative created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System, with funding support from the Governor’s administration and the Virginia General Assembly. The program accelerates new facility startups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation. The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program has helped to secure more than 13,000 jobs across Virginia since the program commenced operations.
