WYBRANY CZŁONEK FAC
FAIRFAX NOVA USA
Przedstawiamy Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) – nagradzaną organizację, która promuje hrabstwo Fairfax w stanie Wirginia jako główną lokalizację biznesową. Wspiera rozwój biznesu, który z kolei finansuje usługi publiczne, takie jak szkoły o najwyższej randze, poprawiając jakość życia w regionie. FCEDA oferuje dobrze wykształconą siłę roboczą, różnorodne możliwości w zakresie nieruchomości i dostęp do rynków globalnych za pośrednictwem międzynarodowego lotniska Washington Dulles. Społeczność biznesowa jest w dużej mierze skupiona wokół technologii i usług profesjonalnych. FCEDA odgrywa również kluczową rolę w rozwoju gospodarczym Północnej Wirginii, przyczyniając się znacząco do PKB regionu. Skupia się na wspieraniu innowacji, przyciąganiu firm i wspieraniu przedsiębiorczości.
Business Overview
Fairfax County, Virginia (Fairfax NOVA) positions itself as an ideal location for aerospace and defense companies, including those from the United Kingdom. There is a strong relationship between Fairfax County and UK businesses in the aerospace sector. The FCEDA actively works to build partnerships with the United Kingdom and has helped more than 60 British companies establish a presence in Fairfax County. The UK claims the second highest number of companies in the county.
Specific opportunities and aspects of this relationship mentioned in the sources include:
- Proximity and Access: Fairfax NOVA offers a strategic East Coast location with proximity to major US government customers, including the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Federal Government. This location provides access to leading customers, federal regulators, and a network of business partners. British companies can grow their international footprint alongside over 60 UK companies already located there.
- Government Contracting: Fairfax County-based companies receive significant federal procurement dollars annually, with nearly $40B in federal contracts awarded annually to companies in Fairfax NOVA. This includes over $13 billion in defense contracts secured by nine of the top 10 aerospace and defense firms in the U.S. based in Fairfax County. Proximity to the nation's capital opens doors to federal agencies and hundreds of contracting opportunities for UK companies.
- Established UK Presence: Several recognisable UK aerospace and defense companies have a significant presence in Fairfax County, such as BAE Systems Inc. (with its U.S. homebase and operations facilities) and Rolls-Royce (which relocated its U.S. headquarters and consolidated operations there). Inmarsat Government and Serco are also mentioned as UK companies in the region.
- Talent Pool: The region offers a highly skilled and well-educated workforce, including a large pool of candidates with security clearances and former military personnel. Over 300,000 professionals are engaged in computer and mathematical occupations, as well as architecture and engineering roles, in the broader region.
- Infrastructure and Connectivity: Fairfax NOVA provides a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity through Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), which offers direct flights to London. This facilitates seamless connectivity with overseas teams and global markets.
- FCEDA Support: The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority acts as an indispensable ally for UK companies entering or expanding in the U.S. market. The FCEDA has had contractors available in the UK since 1998 to assist British businesses. They offer free consultations in the UK to help facilitate the relocation process and provide information about the region's advantages. FCEDA offers various resources, including insights into marketplace trends, support for marketing and public relations, identification of potential talent, and serving as liaisons with government entities. They also provide seminars on new sector opportunities and one-on-one counselling.
- Farnborough Airshow: The sources mention that the FCEDA's long-term investment in the United Kingdom is evidenced by their continued participation in the Farnborough Airshow. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam also visited the 2018 Farnborough Airshow to discuss desirable business location advantages and existing partnerships.
The Aerospace & Defence Sector in North Virginia, USA.
The aerospace, defence, and space sector in Northern Virginia, particularly in Fairfax County (Fairfax NOVA), is substantial and a significant focus for economic development. While the sources primarily detail the size and characteristics of this sector within Fairfax County, this gives a strong indication of its scale in the broader Northern Virginia region.
Here's a breakdown of the size and key aspects:
- Federal Contracts: Fairfax County-based companies receive nearly $40 billion in federal contracts annually. In FY 2022, this figure was $38.3 billion, and in FY 2023, it was $38 billion. This includes over $13 billion in defense contracts secured by nine of the top 10 U.S. aerospace and defence firms located in Fairfax County. This indicates a very large market for companies in the sector, especially those engaged in government contracting.
- Number of Companies: Fairfax NOVA is home to over 50+ leading aerospace and defence companies. More specifically concerning space operations, the region has a presence of more than 125 companies with space operations, and over 70 of these have either located or expanded their operations in Fairfax in the past 36 months. The broader cybersecurity sector, which is closely linked to defence, comprises more than 500 cybersecurity companies in Fairfax NOVA.
- Workforce: The regional defence and aerospace-related workforce is over 184,000 professionals, or nearly 200,000 sector-specific workforce members. The broader Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which includes Northern Virginia, has a cybersecurity-related workforce exceeding 115,000. The region has a large talent pool, including over 300,000 professionals in computer/mathematical and architecture/engineering roles.
- Major Company Presence: The sources highlight the presence or headquarters of many major U.S. and international aerospace, defence, and related companies in Fairfax County, such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, General Dynamics, Airbus Americas, Peraton, CACI International, Amentum, The Aerospace Corporation (relocated HQ to Fairfax), and Serco. The presence of these industry leaders underscores the sector's significant footprint.
- Investment and Growth: Virginia has seen nearly 70 aerospace and unmanned system projects representing more than $865 million in investment in the past decade. Fairfax County is described as an "important hub for the aerospace and defense industry".
- Proximity to Government: A key driver of the sector's size is its proximity to major U.S. government customers like the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. This location provides unparalleled access to these customers and contracting opportunities.
In summary, the aerospace, defence, and space sector in Northern Virginia, particularly Fairfax County, is characterised by a large workforce, a high concentration of companies including major industry players, significant annual federal contract awards, and a growing focus on space operations and cybersecurity. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) plays a role in attracting and supporting businesses in this sector by highlighting these advantages.
