Vienna Poaches Arlington Business Development Manager to Spark Local Growth

The Town of Vienna has hired a business development manager in Arlington County to help revitalize local businesses.

The town recently announced that Natalie Monkou, an Annadale resident, will be the town’s first-ever economic development manager.

Monkou worked in Arlington County for four years, serving as a liaison between the county and three business improvement districts, according to a press release. She also worked as the special assistant to Prince George’s County’s deputy chief of economic development.

“There is so much change happening in Vienna and around the region right now,” Monkou said in the town’s press release. “Because the area is transforming, it’s definitely an opportunity to think strategically and creatively about what economic development and viability will mean for our community and how we can remain competitive and be inclusive and strong.”

Monkou plans to hold a “listening tour,” where she will visit local businesses, according to the press release.

“I plan to get feedback from as many community stakeholder groups as possible,” she said.

Town Manager Mercury Payton said that Monkou stood out because of her economic development experience in Prince George’s and Arlington counties.

Payton’s first goal for the new role is to connect with more businesses so that the town can better learn how to help them more, according to the press release. Secondly, Payton wants Monkou to collaborate with Fairfax County’s economic development office.

“This is an exciting time for the Town,” Payton said. “Having a strong person in this new and critical function may be a catalyst to achieving levels of success that the Town hasn’t yet experienced.”