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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alan Fogg,
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600
AOL-Time Warner deal shines spotlight on Northern Virginia’s technology economy
Fairfax County, Virginia, January 10, 2000 — America Online’s proposed purchase of Time Warner focuses more attention on the northern Virginia technology economy that AOL helped spawn, Gerald L. Gordon, president of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said today.
"An established, New York-based publisher and communications firm found its business partner in the technology-based economy that has been growing here in northern Virginia," Gordon said. "AOL’s purchase of Time Warner shows how Fairfax County and northern Virginia are headquarters of the new economy."
"A traditional corporation realized that to grow in the new economy, it should look here. In terms of our image, it’s incalculable," Gordon said.
America Online was founded in Fairfax County in 1986 and maintains a significant presence here. AOL executives have been active members of "angel" and venture capital entities that have helped fund other start-up firms.
Thousands of technology firms have taken root in Northern Virginia in the past decade. Fairfax County alone counts more than 2,000 technology-oriented employers, including many leaders in the Internet, e-commerce, software and telecommunications sectors.
The explosion of companies, and the high-paying jobs they bring, mean more revenue for Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide high-quality services, Gordon said.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority provides a wide array of services and information designed to promote Fairfax County as a world center of commerce and trade. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, assists entrepreneurs looking for sources of capital, provides information for employees relocating to Fairfax County, and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic statistics.
Information about the FCEDA’s programs and services is available on the FCEDA’s Web page at www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org.
Reporters, editors and producers: Dr. Gordon is available for interviews.
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