What is ALX Forward?
The product of a yearlong engagement effort, culminating in a May 8, 2025 Economic Summit and adopted by City Council in January 2026, 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.
ALX Forward 2026 Q1 Update
In 2025, the Alexandria City Council adopted “Strengthen our Economy” as one of the four priorities to provide a clear, guiding structure that connects budget decisions, policies, and programs to community needs. Under this priority, City Council adopted the ALX Forward Strategic Economic Framework on January 13, 2026 after a year plus community engagement effort.
In 2026 Q1, three working groups - Place-Based Development, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Workforce - have met to identify current initiatives and future work plans that align with the ALX Forward catalyst initiatives. Approximately 70 initiatives are underway or part of workplans. Additionally, the City Manager proposed $750,000 for five ALX Forward Catalytic Initiatives in FY27 ($325,000 for two place-based initiatives, $225,000 for two business retention & recruitment initiatives, and $200,000 for one entrepreneurial and innovation initiative). Here is a summary with highlights for Q1 and a lookahead below.
- Place-Based Development: Over 30 current and planned initiatives were identified within the 4 strategies of Goal 1.
- Business/Entrepreneurship: Approximately 15 current and planned initiatives were identified within the 5 strategies across two goal areas (2. Business Retention and Recruitment; 3. Entrepreneurship and Innovation).
- Workforce: Approximately 25 current and planned initiatives were identified within the 2 strategies across two goal areas (2. Business Retention and Recruitment; 3. Entrepreneurship and Innovation).
In 2026 Q2, the workgroups will begin discussions on future initiatives, identifying gaps, and outlining the path forward.
Featured Metrics (FY25)
- Development applications approved (sf): 5.2 million
- Number of Visit Alexandria digital marketing impressions: 202 million
- Annual TFAC Attendance: 576,823
- Number of visitors to Alexandria’s historic sites and museums: 77,787
2026 Q1 Highlights
- AEDP started work on a new website and marketing materials to attract prospects to Catalyst Sites.
- Torpedo Factory Art Center seeking operator solicitation launched
- Visit Alexandria’s expanded neighborhoods promotion initiative increased exposure across neighborhoods.
- Groundbreaking for tax abatement supported vacant Old Victory Center office conversion to affordable housing
- One Start webpage hub launched.
- National Innovation Quarter launched in February with AEDP and Virginia Tech as founding partners
6 Month Look Ahead Highlights
- AEDP to develop marketing material for catalyst sites in coordination with the launch of AEDP’s new website (June 2026)
- CMO/AEDP have begun vetting opportunities for "but-for" investments and leveraging tools based on the adopted Decision Matrix criteria.
- City hosting America 250 events including Sail Virginia event in June.
- City hosting Croatia for FIFA World Cup.
- By-right use for live entertainment proposal to reduce regulatory burden and support arts district.
- AEDP and P&Z are collaborating on a Developers Forum/NAIOP event planned for summer 2026.
- Duke Street Land Use Plan update theme areas include small business retention, mixed use commercial nodes with grocery and other retail. P&Z and AEDP to continue to partner on small business engagement.
- One-time funding in proposed FY27 budget to incentivize arts, entertainment and innovation uses that would improve the City’s ability to attract and retain companies in the target industries identified in ALX Forward.
Featured Metrics
- FY25 BRE successes: 98,000SF retained; 273 jobs
- FY25 BRE meetings: 34
- FY25 small business consultations:307
- Workforce Development Center Job Placements: 637 in FY25
- Youth Served in the Summer Youth Employment Program: 174 in FY25
2026 Q1 Highlights
- AEDP briefed ALX business associations (BA) on ALX FWD catalyst initiatives and is planning a Q2 workshop with BAs and other partner organizations to present Citywide BRE framework and toolkit
- P&Z is working to minimize regulatory barriers by expanding permitting uses and proposing new allowances and initiatives to streamline commercial uses under the zoning ordinance.
- AEDP worked with partner organizations to announce and launch National Innovation Quarter (National IQ) to attract and retain high-growth companies in the defense tech sector.
- AEDP recently helped Virginia Tech host its “Tap into Tech Talent” event, connecting high skills master's students to local tech businesses
- City partnered with Virginia Tech to showcase our Smart Mobility Lab program at the 2026 Virginia Tech STEM Fair introducing the next generation to practical applications of technology, data analytics, and smart city innovation.
- AEDP and Virginia Tech hosted Tech Talent event in March to bring together local employers and top-tier graduate students for an exclusive meet-up designed to connect top talent with local businesses.
- WDC launched a monthly Career Readiness Workshop series in March aimed at preparing youth for employment opportunities and strengthening their readiness for workforce entry. This will be a re-occurring workshop held the first Tuesday of the month after school.
- City partnered with regional jurisdictions and Congressman Beyer’s office on a resource fair in March for federal workers, contractors and economically impacted individuals.
- City held community engagement sessions to gather input and new ideas on addressing unemployment and underemployment challenges.
- NVCC flagged opportunity for transitioning federal workers through NOVA Next skills program
6 month lookahead Highlights
- AEDP to convene BRE workshop with BAs and other partner organizations to develop Citywide approach to coordinate outreach, increase retention/expansion successes and develop new value-add service.
- Develop ALX FWD BRE toolkit and start up guide.
- Develop and socialize annual BRE strategy & joint visitation schedule leveraging partners and City departments.
- Launch of AEDP’s new website (June 2026) to drive qualified leads and conversions in target industries.
- Finance has upcoming software upgrades to allow contactless payments, in addition to other efficiency initiatives – for e.g. business license renewals process efficiencies will result in renewed licenses issued faster by about 5 days in 2026.
- WDC will host a Youth Spring Job Fair next Wednesday April 8th for ages 16–24, with over 20 employers participating. Currently 150 youth have registered to participate at the Youth Job Fair.
- In response to anticipated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), WDC in collaboration with Volunteer Alexandria is planning a community roundtable discussion for late spring to ensure individuals do not unintentionally lose access to SNAP or Medicaid. The effort emphasizes coordinated, client-centered support so participants can navigate benefit requirements while pursuing employment or training opportunities.
- Cross-department City team will develop some prototypes to get feedback on and build out new pilot approaches/programs to address unemployment and underemployment challenges.
- One-time funding in proposed FY27 budget to continue to support pilot ALX Open Rewards program that encourages regional shoppers to spend at locally owned small businesses.
- One-time funding in proposed FY27 budget to provide coordinated communications and outreach to business community around ongoing City funded/sponsored projects, and changes in management/execution of special events.
Featured Metrics
- FY25 Small Business entrepreneur events: 23 events and 366 attendees
2026 Q1 Highlights
- AEDP released a RFP for the Alexandria Accelerator, the City’s first official program to support high-growth entrepreneurs (targeting award for mid-April 2026).
- During Q1, AEDP toured several potential NIQ innovation lab spaces in the City and submitted a proposal for GO Virginia funding to support its development
- AEDP is planning a tour of Curiosity Labs, a "living laboratory" which could serve as a model for a NIQ innovation lab. The tour will encompass their incubator and accelerator spaces.
- WDC is currently working with AEDP and a professor at Georgetown University and Commission from Alexandria Commission on Aging to launch a Shark Tank Entrepreneurship Cohort.
6 month lookahead Highlights
- Alexandria Accelerator kickoff and launch of programming
- AEDP hosting “Network ALX” event during Business Appreciation Month (May) to foster new connections with startup/investor community
- AEDP site visits to VT Entrepreneur Resource Center in Blacksburg and Curiosity Labs in Georgia (Q2).
- AEDP is partnering with ACHS to serve as judges for the Entrepreneurship class annual pitch competition.
- Virginia Tech’s Master of Engineering students, in collaboration with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, will complete a capstone project to work with small business owners to develop and implement practical solutions to real world business challenges.
- WDC is partnering with Dar Al-Hijrah to launch the Empowered Women Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, a six-week program beginning April 6th designed to support individuals in starting and growing their own businesses.
- City is hosting Smart Mobility Lab Hackathon in August.
- One-time funding in proposed FY27 budget to support development of innovation space in PY as part of the National Innovation Quarter and in partnership with Virginia Tech.