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Contact: Alan Fogg, afogg@fceda.org,
703-790-0600 (office) or 571-213-5065 (mobile)
Lorton
Arts Federation contact: Tina Leone, 703-495-0001
Arts center project involving Fairfax County
EDA wins National Association of Counties award
Fairfax County, Virginia USA, July 13, 2007 – The
National Association of Counties (NACo) will present a 2007
Achievement Award to Fairfax County to turn 56 acres of the
old Lorton Reformatory into the Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA),
the Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget and
Wachovia Bank collaborated in organizing the financing for
the development and operation of the project. The awards will
be presented July 15 at the 2007 annual NACo conference in
Richmond, Va.
The nonprofit Lorton Arts Foundation developed a vision for
reuse of the Occoquan Workhouse at the old prison. The development
plan includes artist studios, a gallery and exhibition space,
a theater and performance center, a multi-purpose events center
and visitors center, two restaurants and an artist colony providing
about 40 units of housing.
The FCEDA issued industrial revenue bonds for the project.
The FCEDA helps certain non-profit organizations and manufacturers
expand by issuing tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds that
finance the acquisition, construction or equipping of various
types of facilities. Interest on qualified bonds is exempt
from taxation under the Internal Revenue Service Code and can
result in a lower interest rate for the borrower. Revenue needed
to repay the bonds comes from the projects, not county taxpayers.
This financing plan also won a 2006 award from the Bond Buyer
newspaper. More information on the project is at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/lorton_arts_project.html and www.lortonarts.org.
“When we market Fairfax County as a great place to
do business, much of what well is the extraordinary quality
of life. The Lorton Arts program will great enhance the already
impressive set of cultural offerings in Fairfax County,” said
Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the FCEDA.
Business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services,
such as the nation’s top-rated school system, which contribute
to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers
businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure,
access to domestic and international markets through Washington
Dulles International Airport, and a well-educated workforce.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org)
promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center.
The FCEDA maintains offices in Silicon Valley, Bangalore, Frankfurt,
London, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
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