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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alan Fogg
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600
Woman-Owned Businesses Experience Huge Growth in Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia, April 8, 1997— Ever increasing numbers of woman-owned businesses continue to grow and flourish in Fairfax County, according to U.S. Bureau of the Census figures reported in the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority's (FCEDA) Small and Minority Business Report. Woman-owned businesses in Fairfax County grew by 7,163 or 38 percent between 1987 and 1992 from 18,732 to 25,895. These firms achieved an 85 percent increase over 1987 sales/receipts figures of $872.2 million to $1.6 billion in 1992.
The data for the period 1987-1992 is based on figures recently released by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Fairfax County has seen a 38 percent expansion in the number of woman-owned businesses since 1987, bringing the total number of such firms located in Fairfax County to almost 26,000 in 1992, making Fairfax County second highest jurisdiction in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area for total number of woman-owned firms. Of these companies, 2,453, or 9 percent, had paid employees in 1992 and reported a total of 20,107 workers, $1.2 billion in annual sales/receipts and $337 million in annual payroll. The remaining 91 percent of woman-owned businesses were sole proprietorships.
"Throughout my fifteen years of business experience I can say the reasons I chose to locate in Fairfax County are primarily due to its worldwide access, highly educated workforce and high-tech image. I have found the County to hold tremendous opportunities for woman-owned businesses," says Native-American woman business owner, Bonnie Horner, founder, president and chair of FreBon International Corporation in McLean.
In support of woman business owners, Fairfax County is fortunate to have a reputation for supplying a continuously growing consumer and economic base, an impressive pool of highly educated, highly skilled workers and professional programs for woman-owned businesses. The FCEDA publishes a quarterly newsletter, Business Ventures, and conducts workshops on "Doing Business in Fairfax County," which are especially designed for woman-owned businesses.
"Woman-owned businesses continue to demonstrate real growth and vibrancy in Fairfax County. Since 1987, the number of firms, sales and employee figures have expanded rapidly, demonstrating that Fairfax County is not only an attractive area for starting businesses, but that it offers the resources and consumer base necessary for growth," said Patricia M. Woolsey, chairman of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
Tools available from the FCEDA for women entrepreneurs include an on-line database developed by the FCEDA to encourage woman-owned business growth by providing opportunities for small and large business networking and easy-to-use information to potential small business consumers. The database, found on the FCEDA Web site, lists the contacts, addresses and services of more than 7,200 businesses located in Fairfax County. The FCEDA Web page can be found at www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org. A copy of the FCEDA Small and Minority Business Report may be obtained by calling the FCEDA at (703) 790-0600 or by visiting the FCEDA Web site.
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