For thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans and the founding of Alexandria in 1749, Indigenous people and Virginia Indians lived and travelled seasonally through the lands that would become the city of Alexandria. In 1789, Alexandria and a portion of Fairfax County were ceded by the state of Virginia to become part of the new 10-square-mile District of Columbia. The Civil War and the occupation of Alexandria by Union troops during those four years profoundly changed the city. By the end of the Civil War, Alexandria's economy was in shambles, but the city itself had not suffered the destruction that many other places in Virginia, such as Richmond and Fredericksburg, had witnessed.
In recent years, Alexandria has seen a surge in economic development. A third Metro station and Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus will arrive at Potomac Yard, and there are plans to move Inova Alexandria Hospital to the site of the former Landmark Mall as a starting point for a mixed-use development. The past decade has seen a dramatic shift in Alexandria's economic policy. The city has welcomed new businesses and investments that have helped to revitalize its economy. It has also implemented policies that foster entrepreneurship and innovation.
Additionally, Alexandria has invested heavily in infrastructure projects such as public transportation and healthcare facilities. Alexandria is also taking steps to ensure that its economic growth is sustainable. It has implemented policies that promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. Furthermore, it has taken steps to ensure that its citizens benefit from economic growth by investing in affordable housing initiatives and job training programs. The city of Alexandria has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade. Its economic policy has evolved significantly, with an influx of new businesses and investments helping to revitalize its economy.
The city has also implemented policies that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation while taking steps to ensure that its economic growth is sustainable. By investing in infrastructure projects, affordable housing initiatives and job training programs, Alexandria is ensuring that its citizens benefit from its economic growth.