Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alan Fogg, Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600 (o) or 571-213-5065 (m)

Fairfax County EDA worked with 28 companies that created 1,634 jobs in second quarter of year

Fairfax County economy spurring D.C. area to lead U.S. in job growth

Fairfax County, Virginia, July 21, 2003—More than 1,600 jobs – most with information technology companies or professional services firms – were or will be added to the Fairfax County economy by 28 companies that worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority during the second quarter of the year, according to the FCEDA.

Fairfax County’s healthy economy is a major reason the Washington, D.C., area is leading all other U.S. metro areas in job creation. The Washington area gained 25,400 jobs between May 2002 and May 2003, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Business centers such as New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Boston lost jobs in the same period, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Companies announcing creation of new jobs during the second quarter include IT integrators such as Unisys, AT&T Government Solutions and Metters Industries, professional services firms such as Beers & Cutler PLLC, five companies from South Korea and one each from Australia, France, Germany, Great Britain and Sweden.

Typically, every new job in the primary economy spins off about two to three jobs in the secondary economy. Business growth in Fairfax County has helped fund one of the nation’s top-rated public school systems and excellent public services. Technology-sector jobs also typically pay higher-than-average salaries. Fairfax County has the nation’s highest median family income.

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.

“We expanded in Fairfax County to be closer to our Virginia-based clients and reinforce our commitment to growth in northern Virginia,” said Deborah Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Beers & Cutler, the largest business advisory and CPA firm based in Washington, D.C. “Our expansion in Fairfax County also was driven by the strong pool of outstanding potential employees in the area.”

“We continue to see strong growth from companies expanding locally and lots of interest from firms from around the country and outside the country that want to be close to the federal government. Fairfax County is the prime spot for them,” said Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the FCEDA.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org) promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic statistics. The FCEDA also has marketing representatives in London, Frankfurt and Tokyo.

Relocations and expansions in April, May and June include:

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