Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Fairfax County companies Created 13,800 Jobs in '00

Twelve more companies expand or relocate in December, FCEDA says

Fairfax County, Virginia, January 23, 2001 — More than 13,800 jobs were or will be created by 132 companies that worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) in 2000, according to the FCEDA. Most of the new jobs were in technology fields such as Internet services, telecommunications and software, or in business services. The number of new jobs is the highest added to Fairfax County's primary economy since 1985.

"This is the big, positive picture that deserves attention right now as we hear and read about layoffs and downsizings," said Dr. Gerald L. Gordon, President of the FCEDA. "Entrepreneurs are still out there, they're still starting new enterprises, many companies are still expanding, they're still being successful, and they're still coming to Fairfax County."

The '00 job total was 13,864. Typically, every new job in the primary economy spins off two to three jobs in the secondary economy. 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.

Of the 132 companies, 100 authorized the FCEDA to list their expansion/relocation plans and the numbers of jobs they would add to the county economy. The list of companies is available here.

Twelve corporations — including a company that offers satellite Internet service and a wireless telecommunications technology developer — announced in December they would expand in or relocate operations to Fairfax County. The companies will add 423 new jobs to the economy, according to the FCEDA.

The largest expansions in December came from StarBand, which in November launched satellite Internet service aimed at consumers nationwide. StarBand is a joint venture of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Microsoft Corp., EchoStar Communications Corp. and ING Furman Selz Investments. Also announcing expansions: Nortel Networks, the Canada-headquartered Internet communications company, and the Monumental Venture Partners venture capital firm.

Four companies are new to Fairfax County: the law firms of Kilpatrick Stockton LLP and Morgan Lewis Bockius LLP; German software developer BOHeads Inc, and WIMAN Inc., a Florida-based firm that makes equipment for wireless telecommunications services.

"Fairfax County is home to all of the major wireless telecommunications companies" said Bob Sweeney, vice president for business development at WIMAN.  "We located our sales and marketing headquarters here for strategic reasons like access to the massive telecommunications labor force, federal regulators and the base of national associations that are already here."

Relocations and expansions in December were:

* Foreign-owned firm.

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.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org) assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and is a source for demographic, real estate and economic statistics. The FCEDA's Capital Attraction Program links entrepreneurs and startup firms with financing sources. The FCEDA maintains marketing offices in London, Frankfurt and Tokyo.

#     #      #