Renowned for its small and local businesses and recognized as a top innovation hub and home to the Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, Virginia, is at the forefront of the growing Northern Virginia innovation economy.
To build on that success, the City recently engaged in a year-long strategic planning and community engagement process to define Alexandria’s approach to economic development moving forward.
Once adopted, ALX Forward: A Strategic Framework for Economic Growth will guide the City’s efforts for inclusive economic opportunity.
ALX Forward Vision Statement
Alexandria is a resilient, competitive, future-ready city where innovation thrives,
opportunity is accessible to all, and economic growth enhances quality of life.
The product of a yearlong engagement effort, culminating in a May 8, 2025, Economic Summit, ALX Forward lays out three areas of economic development focus and a plan of immediate-, near-, and long-term actions for citywide coordination and collaboration to ensure Alexandria’s economic competitiveness and continued prosperity for residents and businesses.
Guiding Principles
Equity
Resilience
Authenticity
Accountability
Catalyst Initiatives
Place-Based Development
Pursue bold, transformative investments in catalyst sites and underutilized assets to spur mixed-use development, enhance Alexandria’s quality of place, and generate new revenue.
• Accelerate catalyst site development.
• Leverage City-owned assets and resources.
• Streamline development and placemaking efforts.
• Focus on the experience economy.
Business Retention & Recruitment
Focus on retaining local businesses and attracting high-growth industries to diversify Alexandria’s economy and create quality jobs.
• Foster a collaborative business environment.
• Position Alexandria as a premier business destination.
• Strengthen talent pipelines.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Strengthen Alexandria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by expanding support for small businesses and fostering the growth of innovative, high-growth startups.
• Build the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Expand incubator and accelerator spaces.
• Foster entrepreneurial skills.
Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who submitted such thoughtful feedback during the comment period.
We are taking some additional time to finalize the document, which will now be considered by City Council in January.
We will share updates here once available.