REGIONAL INNOVATION STRATEGY ENGINE
The Engine of Next for the region
Connected DMV Isn’t Just following the trends—We’re Building What’s Next
MEET RISE
And building what’s next, together, starts with the Greater Washington Regional Strategy Engine (RISE).
RISE unites the region’s most powerful players—government, industry, academia, and community—around a shared economic vision. We turn ambition into action, innovation into infrastructure, and opportunity into real-world outcomes. Built on the legacy of the DMV Regional Congress and REDS (Regional Economic Development Strategy), RISE accelerates Greater Washington’s ability to not just compete in the future economy—but to define it.
THE FOUNDATION OF RISE
BEFORE THE ENGINE,
THERE WAS THE BLUEPRINT.
Greater Washington has never lacked talent, ambition, or world-class assets. What it lacked was an enduring way to bring those strengths together across jurisdictional lines—and ensure more people shared in the opportunity.
In 2020, Connected DMV's regional leaders set out to change that. The Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) united government, business, academia, community organizations, and philanthropy around a common challenge: build a more competitive Greater Washington by making economic growth more collaborative and more equitable.
That work produced a landmark regional blueprint and a model for sustained collaboration. It also helped create the foundation on which RISE is now building.
THE ROAD FROM REDS TO RISE
A strategy that became a regional movement.
The Mandate
A 51-member COVID-19 Strategic Renewal Task Force commissions REDS to advance economic renewal, address entrenched inequities, and strengthen collaboration across jurisdictional lines.
The Blueprint
REDS 1.0 is released on June 3, establishing a long-term framework for regional collaboration and three priorities: equitable growth, regional branding, and talent development.
From Plan to Action
REDS 2.0 continues regional steering work and stakeholder engagement. Federal investment supports the Equity and Growth Playbook, Build Here launches in 2022, and the final Playbook is submitted in March 2024.
The RISE Era
RISE builds on the REDS and DMV Regional Congress legacy, aligning regional leaders to accelerate high-growth industries, infrastructure, investment, and workforce opportunities.
WHAT REDS PUT ON THE AGENDA
Three priorities. One region.
Equitable Regional Growth
Address the region's persistent economic divides and use shared data, including the proposed DMV Atlas, to inform planning, investment, and opportunity.
One Regional Voice
Market Greater Washington's strengths together rather than solely jurisdiction by jurisdiction. That vision helped shape Greater Washington: Build Here.
A Connected Talent Pipeline
Coordinate workforce pathways, reskilling, and career opportunities so regional talent can reach—and help power—the industries of the future.
REDS also provided a framework for coordinating related regional initiatives. Connected DMV's broader renewal effort advanced complementary work in quantum technology, hydrogen, infrastructure, and other emerging industries.
FROM STRATEGY TO INVESTMENT
Federal backing for a regional approach.
In October 2021, the U.S. Economic Development Administration announced a $1.1 million grant for Connected DMV's DMV Regional Equity and Growth Playbook , accompanied by $286,671 in local matching funds.
Developed with the Federal City Council, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, the effort advanced the commitment to a shared framework for equitable regional growth.
Completed in March 2024, the Playbook examined institutional capabilities and gaps, evaluated alternative collaboration models, and recommended a platform-based approach to coordinating regional priorities and implementation.
READ THE FEDERAL GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT (opens in a new tab)EXPLORE THE WORK
From the original report to the next phase.
Regional Equity & Growth Playbook The final March 2024 report, documenting regional research, stakeholder engagement, collaboration-model analysis, and recommendations for action. PDF; opens in a new tab. DMV Atlas: Accelerating Equitable Regional Growth Explore the 2021 StoryMap communicating the data-driven vision behind REDS and equitable regional growth. Opens in a new tab. Greater Washington: Build Here The regional branding and marketing initiative launched in 2022 through collaboration among Greater Washington's economic development organizations. Opens in a new tab.RISE is the next chapter. REDS laid out the blueprint for collaboration. The Regional Congress helped sustain it. Years of research, engagement, and investment helped translate that vision into a practical framework for action. Now RISE is putting the region's collective capacity to work on the industries, partnerships, and opportunities that will define what's next.
The region’s economic development organizations exhibit jointly under the Greater Washington Build Here brand at Quantum World Congress 2024. Build Here is a core project of RISE.
From Regional Strategy to Regional Execution
REDS established a shared economic development blueprint. The DMV Regional Congress brought leaders together across jurisdictions and sectors. Years of sustained engagement, research, and federal investment helped develop the frameworks for turning regional collaboration into action.
At the same time, Connected DMV's broader portfolio was advancing opportunities in quantum technology, clean energy, space, and other emerging industries. Today, RISE brings that collaborative model into its next chapter—connecting regional leadership, accelerating high-growth industries, strengthening infrastructure, and developing the workforce pathways that will power Greater Washington's long-term competitiveness.
As Part of Our Regional Innovation Strategy Engine, We launch initiatives that:
Position Greater Washington at the forefront of the industries defining the next economy.
Break down jurisdictional and institutional silos to unlock cross-sector collaboration across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Deliver measurable outcomes that expand opportunity, fuel innovation, and improve quality of life across the region.
In a region full of think tanks, we’re the do tank
We take bold ideas and turn them into tangible results. We don’t just want Greater Washington to be part of the future economy. We want it to be the place the rest of the world points to and says, “That’s where the future happens.”
RISE Isn’t a Plan—IT’s a Launch Sequence
Plans sit on shelves. RISE moves.
We operate like a mission control for the region’s economic future—charting the course, powering up the engines, and igniting lift-off for industries that will define the next century. Every initiative we launch is designed for impact at scale, with the speed and precision it takes to win in a global race.
RISE isn’t here to wait for the right moment. We make the moment. That means:
Acting Ahead of the Curve
Spotting and seizing opportunities in quantum, hydrogen, space commercialization and other high-growth sectors before they become crowded fields.
Building the Runway
Aligning infrastructure, policy, and investment so new industries don’t just emerge here, they thrive here.
Fueling the Talent Engines
Developing pipelines that connect regional talent to the most transformative careers on the planet.
Driving Market Confidence
Sending a clear signal to investors, innovators, and global partners that Greater Washington is the place to place their bets.
The Work of What’s Next
RISE fuels a growing portfolio of high-impact initiatives already reshaping our economy.
Led by the Region’s Most Trusted Leaders
At Connected DMV, we believe that when local leadership united behind a shared purpose, the region wins. RISE is co-chaired by the region’s top economic development leaders, representing the collective force of Greater Washington’s jurisdictions.
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Nina Albert
Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
District of Columbia -
Victor Hoskins
President and CEO
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority -
Jennifer Jones
CEO
Howard County Economic Development Authority -
Buddy Rizer
Executive Director
Loudoun County Economic Development -
Ebony Stocks
Interim President & CEO
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation -
Bill Tompkins
President & CEO
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation -
Ryan Touhill
Director
Arlington Economic Development
NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy at Quantum World Congress 2024.
The Future Doesn’t Wait
The future moves fast, and so do we. If you want to get the latest updates on what’s next in Greater Washington, connect with us now.