Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alan Fogg, Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600

Fairfax County Companies Add More than 900 Jobs in January

Optical networking, software companies among 17 firms creating jobs, FCEDA says 

Fairfax County, Virginia, February 21, 2001 — Seventeen corporations, including an optical networking hardware and software firm that recently secured $30 million in funding and a Korean company that has developed a three-dimensional Internet browser, announced in January that they would expand in or relocate operations to Fairfax County, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) announced.  The 17 companies will add 967 new jobs to the economy.

Typically, every new job in the primary economy spins off two to three jobs in the secondary economy. Fairfax County's growth as a business center and technology hub has helped fund one of the nation's top-rated public school systems, excellent public services and an enviable quality of life. Technology-sector jobs also typically pay higher-than-average salaries, which is one reason the Claritas research firm last June found Fairfax County's median household income the highest in the nation.

"Creating 967 new jobs in the past month is another clear demonstration that Fairfax County is the economic powerhouse of the Washington, D.C., region and the main engine of Virginia's economic future," said Gerald L. Gordon, PhD., president of the FCEDA (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org).

Among the companies new to the county is Ocular Networks, which is developing next-generation optical networking hardware and software for metropolitan area networks. Ocular Networks last month closed a $30 million second round of funding to expand its manufacturing capacity and sales force and develop its product line. The company has received $50 million in total funding.

"Fairfax County is the center of the high tech industry in the Washington area, said Edward H. Kennedy, president, CEO and co-founder of Ocular Networks. "With the close proximity to the local talent base and Dulles International Airport, and a very pro-active business community and environment, we felt this is the place to be."

Also new to the county in January is GOMID, a U.S. subsidiary of a Korean software company that has developed world's first two- and three-dimensional integrated web browser engine that can be deployed to any operating system and wireless devices.

"One of the main reasons GOMID chose Fairfax County is that the Fairfax County is a rapidly growing home for the emerging IT industry, not only for the domestic companies but also for many foreign ones," said Jongmin Kim, President of GOMID. About 190 foreign-based companies have operations in Fairfax County, according to FCEDA figures.

Among companies announcing expansions in the county were mPortal Inc., which has developed software to access office-based information and computer systems from any wireless device; eStara, which has developed software that allows companies to talk to customers over the Web; and the investment bank of Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown.

For technology companies, Fairfax County offers a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to domestic and international markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a well-educated workforce and an excellent quality of life.

Relocations and expansions announced in January include:

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic statistics.  The FCEDA maintains a capital attraction program to link entrepreneurs and start-up companies with funding sources. Another program assists small, minority and women-owned businesses. The FCEDA maintains marketing offices in London, Frankfurt and Tokyo.

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