Loudoun No. 1 for Job Growth
CNN Money reports that the county outpaced the rest of the country from 2000-2011.
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CNN Money reported last week that Loudoun County produced more job growth than any other jurisdiction in the country from 2000-2011, with 83 percent growth.
About 9,500 businesses employing more than 137,000 employees operate in Loudoun, including global players such as AOL, Raytheon, Verizon and Digital Realty. Many of the county’s technology firms can be found in Ashburn, which Money ranked among the best places to live in the United States.
“The jobs followed the people,” said Loudoun County Chairman Scott K. York (R- At Large) in a statement released from the county. “It’s no accident that such a business-friendly county with the highest household income in the U.S. would attract employers who want to hire smart and successful people.”
Ashburn, through which much of the world’s Internet traffic passes, has been the recipient of the much of the growth in Loudoun.
“Ashburn is known as ‘Data Center Alley,’ and this industry has grown more than 181 percent since 2000,” said Ashburn Supervisor Ralph Buona (R).
Besides tech companies, more than 900 federal government contractors are based in Loudoun, home to Dulles International Airport about 30 miles west of Washington, DC.
“Loudoun also has a thriving small business and entrepreneur community, with more than 76 percent of Loudoun businesses employing fewer than 20 people,” said Loudoun Virginia Economic Development Director Tom Flynn.
About 46 percent of county residents live and work in Loudoun, according to the county’s release.
For more information about doing business in Loudoun, call 1-800-LOUDOUN or visit biz.loudoun.gov.
Helen DeKalb Boyd
7:04 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
where are the jobs for people with a college degree?
Marcus Aurelius
4:15 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Sequestration could become a calamity for Loudoun! All gov't jobs and contracts are in jeopardy!
Kevin Chisholm
5:43 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
This is a sobering topic. Clearly, the time has come for the Federal government to tighten its belt for the benefit of the rest of the country. After decades of growth, that tightening has already begun. There are some bright spots in this happening though. The recent record number of Federal retirements that have been occurring in the metro area is creating some job opportunities at Federal agencies for younger employees. And some of those retirees are choosing to buy homes in Loudoun County.
Loudoun could continue to grow certain sectors of its economy. I do advocate investment in public transportation infrastructure and in energy efficiency and other forms of energy sources (drill baby drill may give us temporary relief, but avoids the long term need for cleaner or less energy). Investments in those technologies will involve employing those with and without college degrees. Some could, and in my opinion should, involve investments in cutting edge technologies that could involve some of the same professionals that are busy in the IT field.
In the medical field and business that care for seniors, job growth is somewhat likely due to the aging population in the Washington area.
Kevin Chisholm
Candidate for Virginia's 10th Congressional District