ARLINGTON, VA-Newly-elected County Board Chairman Jay Fisette says the county will utilize a new $700,000 public-private partnership fund to help lure high technology start-ups, university researchers and federal science agency contractors to the county.

Fisette, who spoke at the county Board's annual New Year's organizational meeting, said "Just as we remade ourselves decades ago, Arlington will remake itself again to embrace the challenges of the innovation economy. Arlington will step up our game to remain the best place in America to start and grow a business. Our goal is to ensure that the county government facilitates new business creation and expansion." Fisette was elected to his fifth term of office in November 2013.

Arlington faces a difficult future, clouded by the potential loss of 17,000 jobs due to base realignment, as well as the impending opening of the Silver Line in nearby Tysons Corner, according to the Washington Post.

Fisette called for the county to engage in “aggressive business development” by marketing Arlington nationally and internationally. He also wants the county to update its plans that require or encourage first floor retail in mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Concerning affordable housing initiatives, Fisette says he will work to find county land where lower-cost housing could be developed. In the past 13 years, Arlington County has lost approximately 12,000 units of affordable housing. See story in the Washington Post.