Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman knows exactly how Arlington County is doing: really, really well.
“The state of the county is very good,” Zimmerman said in a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored “State of the County” address Tuesday morning. “We’re doing well by any measure.”
Zimmerman listed relatively low unemployment rates, high real estate values and low office vacancies as reasons for his positive assessment to a group of business and government leaders gathered at the Marriott in Crystal City.
He encouraged his audience to continue to support the planned development and “smart growth” the Arlington county government has made its trademark.
“It has become very popular to talk about cutting government spending. But public government does have a role in fostering the conditions for private success,” he said.
Zimmerman said the federal government and the state of Virginia were falling behind in infrastructure spending and were stuck in a “we-can’t-afford-that mindset.” He said Arlington was preparing for 235,000 residents in 10 years and needed tax revenue “so that we can sustain the advantage we have today.”
