About the FCEDA

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) promotes Fairfax County as one of the world's best business locations. The FCEDA is an independent authority chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia. A seven-member commission of Fairfax County business leaders oversees the work of the authority.

The origins of the FCEDA go back to October 10, 1956, when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established an Economic and Industrial Development Committee. In 1964, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law that allowed the Board of Supervisors to create an independent authority to drive an economic development effort.

Following a 1976 "blue ribbon commission" report, the Board of Supervisors charged the FCEDA with developing and executing a business attraction and retention program in order to stimulate job creation and build the commercial tax base. The Board of Supervisors uses the commercial tax base to fund programs and services for a growing and diversifying population. 

Today the FCEDA has three marketing divisions -- National, International, and Small and Minority Business Development -- that work with companies interested in starting, expanding and relocating businesses to Fairfax County. The FCEDA also has market research and communications divisions.

Business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services such as a top-ranked public school system that improve the quality of life. Fairfax County offers a well-educated workforce, diverse real estate opportunities, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, and a business community based on technology and professional services.

By any measure, the FCEDA has been successful in its efforts to promote Fairfax County as a business location. In 2007, a Time magazine columnist called Fairfax County “one of the great economic success stories of our time.”

All funding for the FCEDA comes from the Fairfax County General Fund. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County's largest business district, the FCEDA has permanent offices in San Francisco, Bangalore, Frankfurt, London, Seoul and Tel Aviv to assist with the marketing effort and handle the increasing number of international companies interested in establishing operations on the east coast of the U.S.