Fairfax County in the Space Chase + Weekly Business News

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is hoping to leverage a wave of space-related company moves in the county to put Greater Washington at the forefront of the industry, according to a feature story in Washington Business Journal about Fairfax County’s thriving space sector.

Of 125 aerospace companies with space operations that call Fairfax home – 70 of which operate solely in the space sector – 60 have relocated or expanded in the county within just the last three years. “We feel like there’s an inflection point here,” said Hoskins, noting that he first noticed the trend in 2022 when Jeff Bezos’ west coast-based Blue Origin, a launch company, took space in Reston.

Seventy companies in what Hoskins delightedly calls the “space space,” according to Journal reporter Dan Brendel, including satellites, aircraft and drone technology, now call Fairfax County home. In response, Fairfax County is working on plans to host the region’s first space conference in Fairfax County in the fall of 2025.

Click here to read more from the Washington Business Journal, including interviews with several space leaders growing in Fairfax County.

Looking to position your company here? Click here to start your interstellar journey in Fairfax County

Perfect population health: Falls Church City claimed the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings of the nation’s healthiest communities, FFXnow reported. Fairfax County, which surrounds Falls Church, got a perfect score of 100 for population health, indicating excellent access to care, healthy behaviors, good physical and mental health outcomes and a low rate of illness. It also excels in food and nutrition, with low diabetes and obesity rates and a high percentage of residents having access to healthy foods. Click here to read more.

Blast off! Falls Church area-based Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft lifted off at 11:02 a.m. EDT Sunday, August 4, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, according to NASA News. This was Northrop Grumman’s 21st commercial resupply mission, carrying more than 8,200 pounds of new scientific experiments and cargo for the agency to the International Space Station. Click here to watch the lift off.

Let go my Eggo? McLean-based Mars, Greater Washington’s largest private company, is advanced talks to purchase the maker of Pringles, Cheez-It crackers and Eggo waffles, according to multiple reports, reported Washington Business Journal. Chicago’s Kellanova Co., a public company that was spun off from Kellogg Co. last year when it separated its North American cereals business, could fetch as much as $30 billion in a sale, according to the reports. Kellanova’s holdings also include Pop-Tarts and plant-based food-maker MorningStar Farms. Reuters reported Sunday afternoon that Mars and Kellanova were in talks. The Wall Street Journal reported later Sunday that a deal could come together imminently.

Trusted group of concepts: Reston-based Thompson Hospitality has created a new division to support the growth of its restaurants business, which President and Chairman Warren Thompson hopes will become one of the most recognizable names in the industry, reported Washington Business Journal. The food services giant late last year launched Thompson Restaurants, whose brands include Big Buns, Matchbox and Wiseguy Pizza, after completing several layers of infrastructure work including a single point-of-sale system. The restaurants division is the fastest-growing segment at Thompson Hospitality, estimated to generate $180 million in revenue this year and surpass $200 million next year. “Our goal is to become a trusted group of concepts, one for every occasion in the DMV region,” Thompson said. “Our mission is to provide a positive experience to every relationship in which we are involved, one guest, one client, one team member at a time.”

The new frontier: Booz Allen Hamilton has deployed a generative artificial intelligence tool onboard the International Space Station National Lab, reported ExecutiveBiz. Booz Allen uses its large language model application uses Hewlett Packard Enterprise‘s Spaceborne Computer-2 platform to help ISS astronauts address complex issues by retrieving and analyzing information without relying on Earth-bound internet. “Generative AI in space is truly the new frontier and this capability unlocks the potential for on-orbit generative AI to integrate and develop mission-critical solutions and is aligned with Booz Allen’s mission to build human-led AI solutions from which our nation will thrive,” said Chris Bogdan, an executive vice president at Booz Allen and head of the firm’s space business.

Game changer: Lorton-based Chenega has purchased Loudoun County-based SecuriGence and will integrate the veteran-owned small business into its military, intelligence and operations strategic business unit, according to GovConWire. The Alaska Native corporation said the integration planning has begun and the acquisition will expand Chenega MIOS’ portfolio with the addition of systems engineering, cybersecurity, software engineering and cloud and virtual management capabilities in support of Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Chenega MIOS President John Campagna described the addition of SecuriGence as a “game-changer.”

Trust but verify: New York City-based Exiger, a developer of supply chain software with major operations in Tysons, said it has acquired Canada’s aDolus Technology, the developer of a software supply chain risk visibility platform. Exiger said the move bolsters its supply chain visibility capabilities by integrating aDolus’ ability to generate software bills of material and analyze binary for software provenance. “This acquisition allows our customers to ‘trust but verify’ when it comes to software visibility,” said JC Herz, Exiger’s senior vice president of cyber supply chain. Potomac Tech Wire carried the release.

Happy anniversary! Ten years ago, Fairfax-based George Mason University opened Mason Korea at the Incheon Global Campus in Songdo, South Korea. Now, the campus offers degrees in six undergraduate and two graduate disciplines to students from around the world. To recognize this anniversary, President Gregory Washington is joined by former campus dean Robert Matz and associate professor Gyu Tag Lee on a podcast to discuss the growth of Mason Korea, the influence of Korean pop on global culture, and the future of Mason at the Incheon Global Campus. Click here to access the podcast.

Time to shine: Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education is launching more than 250 new courses for the trades, construction, IT and health care, FFXnow reported. The new courses include in-person, hybrid and asynchronous offerings in line with the program’s focus on “new collar” workforce development, according to a school system news release. New collar defines high-paying professions that combine technical skills with specialized education rather than a four-year degree. Those roles are found in industries with high demand for workers in Northern Virginia — especially the trades, health care and technology, according to Paul Steiner, head administrator of FCPS Adult and Community Education.

Power of partnerships: Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) has teamed up with Herndon-based Volkswagen Group of America and Great Outdoor Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to recreational amenities, to instead build a dual-purpose court at Stratton Woods Park in Reston, FFXnow reported. The court will replace Stratton Woods Park’s existing basketball court with a new facility that can also accommodate futsal, a scaled-down version of soccer that’s typically played indoors on a hardcourt like basketball. Construction on the new court will begin immediately. “We believe in the power of partnerships to drive positive change,” the Great Outdoors Fund founder and CEO Lori McCullough said. “Through our partnership with Volkswagen Group of America, we’re not just transforming a basketball court and adapting it for multiple uses — we’re investing in the health and vitality of our society.”

Contract Wins

Leidos (Reston) won a $276 million task order with the Defense Department Information Analysis Center for the research and development of critical minerals and materials used in munitions, and to promote energetics supply chain resiliency. WashingtonExec

August 20, 2024 — MIT Employer Summit: Recruit the Leaders of the Future. FCEDA is proud to host the career leaders from MIT Sloan Business School and MIT School of Engineering in an online panel focused on talent. Learn how to build your brand on this campus and attract top candidates to your organization. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to promote your company and gain access to MIT’s career centers. Click here to register.

August 27, 2024 — U.S.- Israel Collaborations in the Space Technology Sector: Innovations and Opportunities.  This webinar will encourage and support collaborations in the space technology sector between the U.S. and Israel. It will also provide a matchmaking platform for companies. Speakers will include Asher Kotz, Assistant Director, International Business Investment – Cybersecurity and Israel, FCEDA. Click here for more information and to register.

September 11, 2024 — The Dulles Airport Job & Career Fair. Come meet a diverse group of employers located at Washington Dulles International Airport hiring for full and part-time career opportunities. Click here for more information and to register.

October 29, 2024 — NVTC Cyber Summit and Cyber50 Awards. NVTC’s Cyber Summit and Cyber50 awards will highlight the latest cybersecurity trends, technologies, and federal policies and gathers the best and brightest minds in the cyber and national security sectors. Click here to register.

Fairfax County EDA is here to connect businesses of all kinds to resources and information. For direct assistance, email the FCEDA at info@fceda.org, or call 703-790-0600. If you have company news or announcements to share, email FCEDA at News@fceda.org.