Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Contact: Karen Vasquez 703-228-0896 (voice) 703-228-4743(TTY)
Arlington Named One of Top 7 Intelligent Communities of the Year
- Award granted by The Intelligent Community Forum
- County one of just two U.S. communities cited
ARLINGTON, Va. -- Arlington County has been named by The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) as one of the 2010 Top Seven Communities of the Year. The Top Seven announcement is the second stage of ICF’s annual Intelligent Community awards; Arlington County is one of only two communities in the U.S. to receive a Top Seven award.
"It is an honor to be one of just two U.S. communities selected as a Top Seven Intelligent Community," said Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette. "This is important recognition, from a respected think tank with a global perspective, of Arlington's commitment to education, innovation and sustainability."
Aspects of an Intelligent Community
The ICF noted Arlington’s:
- Nearly four decades of efforts to make the most of its economic ties to Federal government while maintaining an independent identity
- High quality of life
- Educational excellence in a diverse community where students speak over 100 languages and come from 128 nations
Technology cited
The ICF also singled out Arlington’s:
- Competitive broadband carriers which deliver data, voice and video services, while providing free fiber-based services to County facilities and schools
- E-government services
Education counts
The ICF highlighted Arlington’s:
- Highly ranked school system, which sends more than 90% of graduates to college or university
- Focus on retaining students through a professional internship program
- Career and vocational centers
- Arlington Teen Portal
Background
The Intelligent Community Forum , based in New York, is a think tank that studies the economic and social development of the 21st Century community. ICF seeks to share the best practices of the world's Intelligent Communities in adapting to the demands of the Broadband Economy, in order to help communities everywhere find sustainable renewal and growth.
Arlington was among about 400 jurisdictions from around the world that submitted applications for the designation. ICF salutes Top Seven communities as pioneers and role models for the development of vibrant digital age communities.
“Arlington has certainly become a ‘smart’ community in many ways,” said Joseph Pelton, who chairs the County’s Information Technology Advisory Commission and was among those working in support of the designation.
Populations of the finalist communities range from 17,000 to more than 2 million.
The Intelligent Community Forum began issuing lists of the top seven Intelligent Communities of the Year in 2002. In May, one of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities will be selected as The Intelligent Community of the Year for 2010.
To learn more about the history of Arlington's pursuit of transit options and "Smart Growth" planning policies, click here to view "Arlington's Smart Growth Journey."
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
