BallstonConnect Podcast

How does Arlington County attract businesses to the area? Tina Leone chats with Telly Tucker, the Director of Arlington Economic Development, to learn how they bring business and keep them in Arlington. 

We also find out how AED has pivoted to support the local economy during COVID-19, and what Telly sees for Arlington's future. 

We know how hard the pandemic has been on local businesses, but there are still a few brave souls actually opening their doors in the midst of COVID-19. 

Tina Leone chats with the heads of two brand new businesses to Ballston: Cullen Gilchrist and Richie Poe. 

Cullen is the CEO of Union Kitchen, and Richie is the General Manager of VIDA Fitness. They'll discuss what hurdles they had to overcome to open, how they are keeping their staff and clients safe, and what their plans are now that they are officially open. 

How have performers fared during the COVID-19 pandemic? What have they done while venues and performance centers have been closed? Tina Leone chats with Lucy Bowen McCauley and Helen Chamberlin of Bowen McCauley Dance Company to learn how performers and their organizations have adapted to the new circumstances, and what toll this year has had on the creative process and BMDC as a nonprofit organization.  

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has impacted nearly every industry, but none have been as greatly affected as local retail and salons. 

Tina Leone discusses re-opening retail in Ballston with Jane Abraham, co-owner of Scout & Molly's Boutique, and Eric Renfro, co-owner and operator of The Bearded Goat. 

Learn how local businesses had to pivot to keep their companies running, and find out the creative methods they used to maintain a connection with their clients and the community during a pandemic. 

Since COVID-19, the home office has become the main workplace for many employees. However, under Governor Northam's Forward Virginia plan, offices may begin to re-open. 

Tina Leone chats with Christine Miller-Langmack, Partner with space planning and design firm, Washington Workplace. Christine discusses how the office has changed in the last decade, and what the future of the office might look like post-COVID. We'll also learn what employers should consider before inviting employees back, and what health and safety measures are a must in any office. 

The Ballston BID knows the moths between April and November as market season, but 2020 has been unlike any other market season. 

Tina Leone, the CEO of the Ballston BID. chats with Nony Dutton, the Deputy Director of FreshFarm Markets, and Bill Mickley, the owner and operator of Mickley's Orchard and Farm Market. They discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on local producers and markets, how to curate a successful market, and the safety measures farmers and market managers are taking to keep their customers healthy. 

*This episode was recorded remotely, so please forgive any audio issues. 

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy nature, but what do we do if it's better for us to stay close to home? 

Tina Leone of the Ballston BID is joined by Emily Landsman, the Communications Director of Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture. We find out how we can bring a piece of nature close to home through balcony, community, or victory gardens, and how this new nonprofit is helping Arlington create a sustainable and delicious future. 

While Ballston and the rest of Arlington begin to settle into a new normal under the stay-at-home order, there are some in the community who face greater hardship due to uncertain housing situations. 

Nationally there has been a scramble to serve those facing domestic violence or homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode of BallstonConnect, Tina Leone is joined by two local organizations serving the Arlington community on a daily basis. Maureen Devine-Ahl, the Interim President and CEO of Doorways for Women & Families, and Sam Kelly, the CEO of Bridges to Independence, discuss the programs available to these vulnerable populations, what challenges they're currently facing, and how the community can help support their missions. 

Though the world is currently facing a "new normal," local businesses have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Tina Leone is joined by Kate Bates, the CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce to learn the state of business in Ballston and Arlington, what resources are currently available to small businesses, and how the community can still support local. 

Learn more about business relief resources. 

It's 2020. This means we're not only in a new decade, but we've also launched into a census year. We have all seen ads or reminders of this year's count, but why do we do it? 

Tina Leone talks with Elisa Ortiz, co-chair with Wanda Pierce of the Arlington Complete Count Committee. Elisa explains why the census is important to local communities, which groups have been historically undercounted, and how COVID-19 could impact the census efforts.

Take the census here!