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Contact: Alan Fogg, Director, Communications,
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600 (o) or 571-213-5065 (m)
Census Bureau reports 52.6 percent increase in African American-owned firms in Fairfax County
Fairfax has most firms in Virginia; sales top $1 billion in 2002
Fairfax County, Virginia USA, April 18, 2006 -- The U.S. Census Bureau reported today that 5,091 African American-owned businesses operated in Fairfax County in 2002, a 52.6 percent increase since 1997 when the last count was taken. The Fairfax County increase is larger than the 45 percent national increase noted by the Census Bureau.
Fairfax County, minutes from Washington, D.C., accounts for about 12.4 percent of all the black-owned businesses in the Commonwealth, most of any locality in the Commonwealth, and has 7.6 percent of the African American-owned businesses in the Washington area. Fairfax County has more African American-owned firms than 17 states.
“The growth of African American-owned firms in Fairfax shows again that the county is a top business location for anyone of any background with a good idea and the drive to develop it,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. "Different backgrounds, cultures and experiences mean different perspectives on business issues. Diversity strengthens our economy and our community."
The Census Bureau found that about 91 percent of Fairfax County’s African American-owned firms are sole proprietorships. African American-owned firms in Fairfax County with employee payrolls totaled 467, a 20 percent increase since 1997.
The 2002 Economic Census also found that black-owned firms in Fairfax County:
- employed 8,481 people in 2002, up 24.1 percent since 1997;
- had $1 billion in sales and receipts;
- had payrolls totaling more than $365 million.
Fairfax County is home to six of the 100 largest African American-owned firms in the United States, according to Black Enterprise magazine: RS Information Systems, Thompson Hospitality, Omniplex World Services, COMtek, UNITECH and INNOLOG.
On May 7-9, Fairfax County will host the Virginia Business Opportunity Fair. The fair links large government contractors and corporations with minority-owned businesses to assist with procurement activities. The Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (www.vmsdc.org) organizes the annual event, which is considered the largest minority business conference on the east coast.
Business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services such as a top-ranked public school system and library, public safety, social services and park systems that improve the quality of life. Fairfax County offers diverse real estate options, access to domestic and international markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a business community based on technology and professional services, and a well-educated workforce.
About the FCEDA (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org)
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority 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 information. The FCEDA’s Capital Attraction Program links technology entrepreneurs with potential investors. Another program supports the growth of minority and woman-owned businesses. The FCEDA maintains overseas marketing offices in Bangalore, Frankfurt, London, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
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