Nearly 2,750 jobs – many in information technology-related fields – were or will be added to the Fairfax County economy by 34 companies that used Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) services and resources during the second quarter of 2005. Combined with totals from the first quarter, the FCEDA this year has worked with 62 companies that will add more than 6,300 jobs to one of the fastest-growing economies in the country.
The largest second quarter announcement came from Inova Health System, which operates Inova Fairfax, Fair Oaks and Mount Vernon hospitals and the Springfield Healthplex. Inova said it has created 671 new jobs in Fairfax County this year from initiatives such as the Heart and Vascular Institute at Fairfax Hospital. Other companies creating jobs include United Kingdom-based defense contractor BAE Systems, investigation and security services provider Omniplex World Services, Colorado-based systems integration consultant Ciber, and the IT services provider ActioNet.
“ActioNet is one of the fasted growing IT companies in Virginia, and we chose Fairfax County as our headquarters location based on the county’s reputation for fostering economic growth in the technology sector,” said ActioNet President and CEO Ashley Chen. “ActioNet tripled its office space in Fairfax County in April 2005, and we plan additional expansion soon. The FCEDA has provided us with continuous support and networking opportunities to help us reach the next level.”
“I am impressed with the number and diversity of companies that are expanding in Fairfax County,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of FCEDA. “I am especially delighted with the expansion of the Inova Health System. It is one of Fairfax County’s largest employers, and it is a vital component of the extraordinary quality of the life we enjoy in Fairfax County.”
Business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services such as a top-ranked public school system and library, public safety, and social services and park systems that improve the quality of life. Fairfax County offers diverse real estate opportunities near Washington, D.C., access to domestic and international markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a business community based on technology and professional services, and a well-educated workforce.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.fairfaxcountyeda.org), which has been recognized by Site Selection magazine as one of the top economic development groups, promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and provides demographic and economic statistics. The FCEDA’s Capital Attraction Program links technology entrepreneurs with potential investors, and another program supports the growth of small and minority-owned companies. The FCEDA maintains overseas offices in Bangalore, Frankfurt, London, Seoul, and Tel Aviv.