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Photo of Scott MacRae and Tony Costa
Scott MacRae and Tony Costa

GSA recognized for leadership by DC Council of Governments

| Tony Costa, senior advisor to the Administrator
Post filed in: Economic Catalyst  |  Jobs and the Economy

FedScape, a GSA initiative that has been actively working with metropolitan Washington area governments and civic leaders to better connect our agency’s activities with community plans and economic development priorities, was recently honored with the 2016 Regional Partnership Award from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG).

The MWCOG recognized FedScape for its work in building more strategic relationships with the region’s leaders. Specifically, GSA’s work with DC metro-area jurisdictions will ensure efficiency, economic development, and sustainability are considered upfront when deciding where to locate federal facilities.

FedScape has helped revive a more intensive and collaborative relationship between the region and GSA. The collaboration is a win-win for the federal government and local jurisdictions. Together, we’re moving toward a more coordinated land use and transportation strategy that focuses on the region’s activity centers – the residential and employment hubs best-suited for growth.

FedScape helps our regional partners understand the ins and outs of federal business operations and helps ensure consistency and clarity around our authorities, direction from the Administration or Congress, and the agency’s point of view. This includes demonstrating the impact of federal investments on state/local jurisdictions and working with local governments and transit agencies to leverage the buying power and pricing of the federal government, reducing cost of public agency operations, and sharing best practices.

GSA, and by extension, the federal government, plays a large role in the cities and counties around Washington, DC. By being better connected to their leaders we are better able to understand their plans and priorities – which helps us both be more efficient and a better neighbor. We know that what we do and how we do it matters and has significant impacts on the quality of life and the economic health of communities.

GSA is committed to being a more proactive partner and leveraging our strength and capabilities as an economic catalyst in the communities where we work. By understanding what our partner communities want and need, we’re better able to plan where our buildings go, connect projects to regional planning activities, help everyone do the business of government better and design outcomes that help facilitate economic development at ground level.

Learn more about FedScape by contacting Scott MacRae at 703-795-7728.