Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

What Alexandria Economic Development Partnership does

AEDP is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit public-private partnership founded in 1992 that serves as the designated primary economic development agency for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. The organization provides free, consultative services to businesses seeking to locate, expand, or retain operations in Alexandria, including site selection, incentive negotiation, workforce pipeline access, real estate advisory, and government navigation. AEDP also administers the City's Industrial Development Authority (IDA), manages small business support and grant programs, and convenes regional partnerships across economic development, innovation, and tourism. A 17-person team is organized across business development, real estate, small business, operations, and communications functions, operating from AEDP's headquarters at 1940 Duke Street in Alexandria.

AEDP's funding model is dominated by City of Alexandria appropriations, with an FY 2025 budget of $3.9 million supplemented by 501(c)(6) membership dues and project-based facilitation through the IDA (tax-exempt financing) and Virginia's Tourism Development Financing Program (gap financing). Because services are free to businesses, AEDP generates no commercial sales revenue; the budget figure represents total annual inflow. The technology stack is commodity and cloud-based — Microsoft O365, SharePoint, Comcast Ethernet at 100 Mbps, 8x8 VOIP, and Konica Minolta copiers — with no proprietary software platform or database operated by AEDP. The go-to-market motion is consultative and relationship-driven, targeting enterprises, federal agencies, SMBs, institutions of science and learning, nonprofits, and international businesses through direct outreach, partner referrals, content marketing, events, and earned media.

AEDP has facilitated a number of high-profile projects, including Amazon's HQ2 and the $1 billion Virginia Tech Innovation Campus (Boeing committed $50 million as first foundational partner), the $1 billion Inova Alexandria Hospital at WestEnd, the National Science Foundation's retention of 1,600 jobs, and HUD's relocation of 2,700 jobs. The organization is a founding partner of the National Innovation Quarter (National IQ), a cross-jurisdictional innovation district spanning Arlington and Alexandria launched in February 2026 with Amazon, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Virginia Tech, VIPC, and others, and launched the Accelerate ALX startup accelerator in partnership with FedTech in 2026 to support up to 15 Alexandria-based startups in AI, cybersecurity, defense, quantum computing, energy, aerospace, and robotics.

Name

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

Legal name

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

Website

https://alexandriaecon.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AEDP is the City of Alexandria, Virginia's primary 501(c)(6) nonprofit economic development agency, providing free site selection, incentive, real estate, and small business support to attract, retain, and grow businesses across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business attraction consulting
• Site selection advisory
• Small business support
• Real estate advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. City of Alexandria Funding: AEDP is funded primarily by the City of Alexandria. FY 2025 budget is $3.9 million.
2. Membership Dues (501(c)6 Nonprofit): As a 501(c)6 public-private partnership, AEDP generates revenue from membership dues supporting the organization's operations and economic development programs.
3. Project-Based Incentives and Facilitation Fees: AEDP facilitates economic development projects through tools such as tax-exempt financing, gap financing via Virginia's Tourism Development Financing Program, and ground lease structures through the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). AEDP's facilitation enables deals but does not itself collect fees directly from businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AEDP is the designated primary economic development agency for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, delivering free business attraction, expansion, retention, and small business support services. Its core offerings include site selection and real estate advisory, workforce pipeline connections, tax and financing incentive facilitation (including Industrial Development Authority tax-exempt financing and Virginia Tourism Development Financing Program gap financing), government navigation, and the Accelerate ALX startup accelerator. Services are funded by City of Alexandria appropriations and 501(c)(6) membership dues.

Product overview

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) is an economic development organization, not a product company. It offers economic development services including business location and expansion support, site analysis and selection, government navigation assistance, small business support programs, real estate development facilitation, grants programs, mentorship, counseling, and workshops and training. AEDP does not offer a software product or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Development & Attraction Consulting Free consultative engagement with AEDP's Business Development team providing customized market intelligence, site selection support, introductions to real estate professionals, and connection to incentive programs for businesses considering Alexandria for relocation or expansion. Delivered to enterprises, mid-market firms, and federal agencies via in-person meetings, phone, and email.
• Real Estate Advisory & Site Selection Free real estate advisory service from AEDP's Real Estate team assisting companies with site analysis, property search, and Alexandria commercial real estate market intelligence, with introductions to developers, brokers, and property owners through AEDP's commercial property search tool.
• Small Business Support Programs Free direct support for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Alexandria including one-on-one counseling, grant programs (including Queen Street Business Corridor grants of $5,000 each), mentorship, workshops, training, the ALX Open Rewards program, the local business directory, and Spanish-language small business support.
• International Business Program Free program for international businesses looking to enter the U.S. market via Alexandria, providing market intelligence, site selection, regulatory navigation support, and connections to the Washington, D.C. region's federal and defense contracting markets.
• Tax & Financing Incentive Facilitation Facilitation of tax-exempt financing through the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Alexandria (IDA), gap financing through Virginia's Tourism Development Financing Program (TDFP), and local grant programs (including Queen Street Business Corridor grants). AEDP's President & CEO administers the IDA and AEDP shepherds deal structuring such as ground leases.
• Accelerate ALX Startup Accelerator Startup accelerator program developed and operated by FedTech in partnership with AEDP for up to 15 Alexandria-based technology founders, providing mentorship, strategic guidance, and connections to federal agencies and defense companies. Targets high-growth sectors including AI, cybersecurity, defense, quantum computing, energy, aerospace, robotics, and computer services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,106 jobs added or retained in Alexandria in 2025 as a result of AEDP economic development efforts
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• FedTechflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 11 May 2026AEDP selected FedTech from a pool of over 20 applicants to develop and operate the Accelerate ALX startup accelerator program for up to 15 Alexandria-based startups in high-growth sectors including AI, cybersecurity, defense, quantum computing, energy, aerospace, robotics, and computer services. FedTech has previously run over 130 accelerator programs and connects startups to federal agencies and defense companies. The program is backed by $200,000 in city funding for its first year.
• City of AlexandriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEDP serves as the designated primary economic development agency for the City of Alexandria, operating under a public-private partnership structure with city funding ($3.9M FY 2025 budget). AEDP works closely with city management, elected officials, and city departments (Planning & Zoning, Real Estate & Taxes) to achieve shared economic development goals.
• National Innovation Quarter (National IQ)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational IQ is a 501(c)(6) innovation district spanning Arlington and Alexandria in Northern Virginia. AEDP serves as a founding partner alongside Amazon, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Virginia Tech, VIPC, Arlington Economic Development, JBG SMITH, and the National Landing BID. National IQ delivers year-round programming including innovation challenges, investor summits, product showcases, and startup accelerators to accelerate dual-use technology and national competitiveness.
• AmazonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon is a founding partner of National IQ and established its HQ2 presence in the National Landing corridor (adjacent to Alexandria in Arlington). AEDP worked with Amazon and Virginia to secure the HQ2 deal, which included Virginia Tech Innovation Campus placement in Alexandria.
• Northrop GrummanflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthrop Grumman is a founding partner of National IQ. The company has made significant investments in the region and partnered with Virginia Tech to support quantum information science and engineering research at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ($12.5M commitment).
• SAICflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAIC is a founding partner of National IQ. SAIC's CTO serves as National IQ's Board Chair and Acting President. SAIC collaborates with industry leaders and local partners to accelerate technology development for national security and government missions.
• Virginia TechflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirginia Tech is a founding partner of National IQ and established the $1 billion Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Alexandria's Potomac Yard as part of the Amazon HQ2 incentive package. The campus will graduate 750 master's students and host 100+ doctoral students annually in computer science and engineering. Boeing committed $50M as the first foundational partner.
• Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIPC is a founding partner of National IQ and serves as Virginia's strategic investment arm for innovation. VIPC catalyzed the launch of National IQ and provides funding and programmatic support for the innovation district.
• Arlington Economic Development (AED)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerArlington Economic Development is a founding partner of National IQ and co-leads the innovation district initiative with AEDP. AED and AEDP collaborate across jurisdictions to drive economic and innovation outcomes in the National Landing corridor.
• JBG SMITHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJBG SMITH is a founding partner of National IQ and is one of the largest landowners and developers in the National Landing area (Crystal City, Pentagon City, Potomac Yard). JBG SMITH provides real estate assets and development expertise to support the innovation district.
• National Landing Business Improvement DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Landing BID is a founding partner of National IQ, providing programmatic support and representing the business community in the innovation district spanning Arlington and Alexandria.
• Industrial Development Authority of the City of Alexandria (IDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IDA is a seven-member board appointed by Alexandria City Council that promotes and facilitates economic development. AEDP President & CEO Stephanie Landrum administers the IDA. The IDA purchased the Landmark Mall land and entered a 95-year ground lease with Inova at $1 per year to catalyze the WestEnd Alexandria redevelopment.
• Inova Health SystemflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInova Health System partnered with AEDP and the IDA to construct a new $1 billion, 194-bed hospital with a cancer research center at the former Landmark Mall site (WestEnd Alexandria). AEDP and the IDA facilitated this through a unique ground lease structure. Inova also opened the Inova Health Center – Oakville in Potomac Yard.
• Foulger-PrattcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoulger-Pratt is the principal landowner of the former Landmark Mall site and the lead developer of WestEnd Alexandria, partnering with AEDP and the IDA to deliver 4 million SF of mixed-use development including residential, retail, medical office, and entertainment.
• Howard Hughes CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoward Hughes Corporation is an investment partner in the WestEnd Alexandria redevelopment of the former Landmark Mall site alongside Foulger-Pratt and Seritage Growth Properties.
• Seritage Growth PropertiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeritage Growth Properties is an investment partner in the WestEnd Alexandria redevelopment of the former Landmark Mall site alongside Foulger-Pratt and Howard Hughes Corporation.
• Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHRP purchased the 18-acre Potomac River Generating Station (former coal plant) in 2020 and is developing it into a 2.5 million SF mixed-use waterfront destination with stunning DC views — the last large developable waterfront parcel in Northern Virginia. AEDP features HRP's project on its featured projects page.
• American Real Estate Partners (AREP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAREP is developing CityHouse Old Town, a 1980s office-to-residential conversion project at 1101 King Street transforming 200,000 SF of obsolete office space into 199 luxury apartments. AEDP cited this project as a flagship example of Alexandria's adaptive reuse leadership.
• BozzutominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBozzuto is a real estate services firm involved in the CityHouse Old Town development project in Alexandria as a property management/development partner alongside AREP, Cooper Carry, Hoar Construction, and others.
• Cooper CarryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCooper Carry is an architecture firm serving as a design partner on the CityHouse Old Town office-to-residential conversion project in Alexandria.
• Hoar ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHoar Construction is the general contractor for the CityHouse Old Town office-to-residential conversion project in Alexandria.
• RD JonesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRD Jones is a civil engineering firm serving as a partner on the CityHouse Old Town development project in Alexandria.
• LandDesignminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandDesign is a landscape architecture and urban design firm serving as a partner on the CityHouse Old Town development project in Alexandria.
• Hickock ColeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHickock Cole is an architecture and design firm serving as a partner on the CityHouse Old Town development project in Alexandria.
• KLNBminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKLNB is a commercial real estate brokerage firm serving as a leasing/ broker partner on the CityHouse Old Town development project in Alexandria.
• Aparium Hotel GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAparium Hotel Group is the operator of Hotel Heron, a 134-room boutique hotel being developed at 699 Prince Street in Old Town Alexandria. AEDP helped the development team secure $6M in gap financing through Virginia's Tourism Development Financing Program (TDFP), the city's first participation in the program.
• Visit AlexandriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit Alexandria is AEDP's primary tourism partner. AEDP collaborated with Visit Alexandria to document the supply-demand gap that justified Alexandria's participation in the Tourism Development Financing Program for Hotel Heron, and both organizations work together to grow tourism throughout the city.
• U.S. Small Business Administration Washington, D.C. District OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SBA DC District is a key federal partner for AEDP's small business programs, providing resources and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Alexandria.
• Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance (NOVA EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOVA EDA is a regional partnership representing nine jurisdictions working together to attract and retain business in Northern Virginia. AEDP helped found NOVA EDA and participates as a key member, collaborating on cross-jurisdictional economic development initiatives.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVEDP is a state-level economic development partner that AEDP connects businesses to for statewide incentive programs, workforce development resources, and trade/export support.
• Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVEDA is a professional association for Virginia's economic developers. AEDP senior leadership, including Marian Marquez, holds leadership roles on VEDA's board and committees.
• Amazon (Virginia Tech Initiative)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon partnered with Virginia Tech to create the Amazon-Virginia Tech Initiative for Efficient and Robust Machine Learning, explored at both the Virginia Tech Blacksburg campus and VTIC in Alexandria. This partnership is part of the National IQ ecosystem.
• The Chamber ALXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chamber ALX is a key small business partner for AEDP, collaborating on business awards, networking events, and referral programs. AEDP is credited by Alexandria businesses (e.g., Ironistic) as a key contributor to their growth alongside the Chamber.
• NAIOP Northern VirginiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAIOP Northern Virginia is a commercial real estate development association. AEDP contributed content to the NAIOP 2024 Northern Virginia Bus Tour Guidebook and participates in bus tours showcasing Alexandria development projects.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Arlington Economic Development: Arlington's municipal economic development agency and AEDP's co-founding partner in the National Innovation Quarter (National IQ). Both organizations serve adjacent Northern Virginia jurisdictions, deliver similar business attraction and retention services, and coordinate on cross-jurisdictional deals (e.g., Amazon HQ2).
• Fairfax County Economic Development Authority: Statutorily-authorized economic development authority for Fairfax County, Virginia, providing site selection, incentives, and business attraction services within the same Northern Virginia labor market as AEDP. Operates a comparable model combining public funding, IDA-style authorities, and member/private engagement.
• Loudoun County Department of Economic Development: Municipal economic development agency for Loudoun County, Virginia, a Northern Virginia neighbor. Delivers directly comparable services — business attraction, retention, site selection, and small business support — and competes with AEDP for the same corporate relocations and expansions in the region.
• Greater Washington Partnership: Regional cross-jurisdictional coalition advancing economic mobility and competitiveness across the Greater Washington region. Comparable to AEDP's role within the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance (NOVA EDA), operating at a wider regional footprint with employer and institutional partners.
• Prince William County Department of Economic Development: Adjacent Northern Virginia county economic development department, providing the same suite of attraction, retention, and small business services as AEDP and competing for the same regional corporate relocations and expansions.

Broad incumbents

• Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP): Virginia's statewide economic development authority, with broader geographic scope and larger budget than AEDP. VEDP handles state-level incentive programs, trade/export support, and workforce initiatives, and AEDP explicitly connects businesses to VEDP for programs beyond its local mandate.
• NYC Economic Development Corporation: Municipal economic development corporation for New York City with substantially greater scale and a broader portfolio (real estate, infrastructure, innovation). Demonstrates the broader incumbent model for city-led ED organizations, but at much larger scale than AEDP.
• Chicago Department of Planning and Development: City of Chicago's primary municipal agency for planning, zoning, and economic development, providing direct business support, incentive administration, and large-scale redevelopment facilitation. Functions as the city's AEDP-equivalent but with a much larger scope and budget.
• San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development: City of San Francisco's municipal economic development office, providing business attraction, retention, workforce, and small business support services comparable to AEDP's mandate but at much larger urban scale.

Others

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Industry association for economic developers worldwide rather than a direct peer. AEDP participates in IEDC through professional membership and industry events, making IEDC an ecosystem/thematic connection rather than a competitive comparable.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AlexandriaEcon
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlexandriaIdeal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alexandria-economic-development-partnership
• Instagraminstagram.com/alexandriaecon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Alexandria Economic Development Partnership