Fairfax County, Virginia — The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) has become a member organization of the Association for Unmanned Vehicles international (AUVSI), the world’s largest organization dedicated to unmanned vehicles and the emerging technologies they spawn.

Founded in 1972, AUVSI and its members are involved with unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), robotics, Internet-of-Things (sensors), satellites, telecommunications and undersea vehicles as well as self-driving cars.

With more than 35 chapters around the globe, AUVSI has 7,500 members including Fortune 500 companies, universities and economic development organizations. At least 26 members currently operate in Fairfax County including Intelsat, SAIC, MITRE and Lockheed Martin. Other prominent members include Amazon, Facebook, Intel and NVIDIA.

“Fairfax County’s economy has grown over the years, not by reproducing things or making them faster or prettier, but by creating the next new iteration of technologies in a variety of fields,” said FCEDA President and CEO Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D. “This is one area that the FCEDA should be interested in because it’s certainly a growth segment of the economy.”

Fairfax County is home to numerous drone technology companies and innovative satellite communications and communications firms. County officials also want to place the county at the forefront of driverless vehicle technology and the infrastructure that supports it.

Time magazine called Fairfax County “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth and innovation helps Fairfax County fund one of the nation’s most prestigious school systems and other public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a vibrant investment capital community and a highly skilled and well-educated workforce.

The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.