While the national job growth rate stalled at zero last year, Loudoun County experienced a 5.22 percent increase, tying for number one among the nation's largest counties.
The county gained 5,294 jobs in 2003, climbing from 101,322 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2002 to 106,616 during the same period last year, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. The data is similar to that provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, which reported a 5,501 job increase or 5.2 percent. Clark County, Nevada, home of Las Vegas, and Loudoun County topped the nation. Jim Rice, an economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, said the bureau defines "largest counties" as those with 75,000 or more jobs.
LOUDOUN'S TOP THREE employment sectors were in manufacturing, construction and local government, said Larry Rosenstrauch, director of Economic Development. "The biggest gainer is the one that will shock most of our citizens," he said. "You don't think of Loudoun this way, but 10.73 percent, almost 11 percent, was in manufacturing."
Manufacturing jobs rose from 3,838 in 2002 to 4,250 in 2003. What residents don't see in Loudoun is the stereotypical image of aged buildings with dirty smokestacks, he said. These jobs were more along the lines of assembly work.
Joe Travez, business developer and founder of Prototype Productions in Ashburn, said the rise in manufacturing jobs is surprising. "We're not in a manufacturing state or county. It's mostly software driven," he said. "However, I think this county is moving into high end manufacturing, space flight and medical, because of our proximity to the nation's capital and the … medical research firms in the area."
Prototype Productions manufactures high end electromechancial systems, mostly medical and defense. For example, it produces surgical simulation training devises.
CONSTRUCTION came in second place with a 9.55 percent boost or 998 new jobs. Construction employment rose from 10,450 jobs to 11,448. Rosenstrauch said Loudoun continues to build houses, even in tough economic times. "We've looked at the past two recessions. Even when jobs stop, housing keeps growing," he said.
Some regions of the country gained jobs while others lost them, accounting for the national average of zero. "We were lucky," he said. So were neighboring counties. Prince William County was right behind Loudoun with 5.1 percent growth. Fairfax County was fourth nationally in net jobs, with 8,500 new positions, but it grew 2.9 percent compared to Loudoun's 5.2 percent.
"The western part of the Washington Metropolitan Area was where the action was," he said. "It is going to continue. We're going to be where the action is, not just was."
THE THIRD HIGHEST category was Loudoun's government jobs, with at least 500 new teaching positions. Government jobs rose by 911, from 10,520 to 11,431, the Virginia Employment Commission report said.
Loudoun also has earned the distinction of being the fastest growing county with one of the most technologically advanced county governments in the United States.
The most number of new jobs — but with a smaller percentage increase than the other three — was in the service area. That category includes engineers, doctors, lawyers, scientists and other workers. Loudoun had 2,438 new service jobs, an 8.10 percent boost from 30,101 to 32,539, the report said.
Scott York, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said the top rating proves the "Republican rhetoric" wrong in its accusation that the former Board of Supervisors was anti-business. York has served three terms. "We were very pro-business," he said. "I am very proud of the accomplishment of the prior board. I believe the job growth will continue, despite the recklessness of this new board."
Bruce Tulloch, vice-chairman of the board, said it's a "shame" that York wants to make this about politics, instead of reality.
"I'm sure you'll hear from the chairman this had everything to do with the last board being pro-business. The fact of the matter is that the board had nothing to do with this," Tulloch said. "This had to do with the national home security and defense dumping millions of dollars into the economy, including Loudoun County, to create new jobs. Truth be told, this job growth is due to the tragic circumstances of 9/11 and after."
ROSENSTRAUCH DETAILED two actions to keep the county in its standing. "We have to focus on making sure we are always the friendliest and have the most attractive business environment," he said.
"We're business friendly" cannot only be a slogan, he said. One way to meet that objective is to prune the red tape while maintaining that "friendly" does not mean saying, "yes" to developers all of the time.
The second objective is to provide an adequate supply of zoned, well-served land that is serviced with appropriate infrastructure.
"We have developed the right physical assets in a gorgeous natural setting," he said. "What you have built is really high quality. People like that."
The setting is great for families, but not as exciting for the young workforce, he added. "We need to grow more to provide alternatives for them."