Fairfax County EDA in 2010 worked with 154 companies adding more than 6,400 jobs to the local economy

Fairfax County, Virginia USA, Tuesday, February 1, 2011 -

In 2010, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) worked with 154 companies that are adding 6,459 jobs to the Fairfax County economy. Companies in the professional services and information technology sectors dominated 2010 announcements.

Of the 154 companies, 99 are U.S.-based businesses. Large announcements during the year included defense and security giant Northrop Grumman, which will move its headquarters from Los Angeles to the Merrifield area and create 300 jobs here; professional services firm KPMG, adding 372 jobs in the Tysons Corner area; satellite imagery firm GeoEye, adding 330 jobs as it relocates its headquarters to the Herndon area; technology consultant ICF International, adding 400 jobs at its Fairfax headquarters; and software development firm InfoReliance, adding 270 jobs to its new headquarters in the Fair Oaks area.

Forty-three foreign-owned firms announced expansions in 2010, including Tata Communications (India), adding 20 jobs; Hitachi Consulting (Japan), adding 10 jobs; software firm Daon (Ireland), adding eight jobs; and Skyline Software (Israel), adding five jobs. More than 360 foreign-owned firms maintain operations in Fairfax County.

Twelve minority-owned companies announced expansions, including Lorton-based Chenega Federal Systems, adding 150 jobs; professional services firm DISYS, adding 80 positions in Tysons Corner; and IT services firm Marathon TS, adding 25 jobs in the Herndon area.

“The elements that make Fairfax County’s economy and business community so vibrant are reflected in the companies we worked with in 2010,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the FCEDA. “The announcements include companies that are household names, such as Northrop Grumman and KPMG, but also many minority-owned and foreign-owned firms that could also one day become household names.”

“Business growth like this is important to Fairfax County residents because it enables the Board of Supervisors to provide a breadth and quality of public services while minimizing the burden of the costs on residents,” Gordon said.

A list of selected announcements for 2010 is on the FCEDA Web site. The following selected companies announced expansion or relocation to Fairfax County in October, November and December 2010: