David Francis, The Examiner
2007-07-17 07:00:00.0
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WASHINGTON -

Loudoun County has experienced job growth of 51.3 percent in the last six years, the fifth-fastest in the nation, according to a survey from Money Magazine released Monday.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the job boom has coincided with rapid population growth. Loudoun had 169,599 people five years ago compared with 247,293 today making it the fastest-growing county in the country over the past five years.

Loudoun’s growth has not been without stress, as traffic has worsened and development has prompted land-use controversies.

However, economic development officials believe the county can sustain growth of 70 percent over the next decade.

“We’re running a marathon race like a sprinter,” said Larry Rosenstrauch, director of the Loudoun County Economic Development Department. “It’s very taxing to everyone, including the infrastructure. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve been able to do it. We have the carrying capacity to sustain growth.”

Loudoun’s growth is similar to that of neighboring Fairfax County, which was recently found by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to be an economic center on par with the District. While Loudoun’s economy is not as large as Fairfax’s, they do share much in common.

The most parallel is Loudoun’s increasing independence from the District. According to Tony Howard, president of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, long commutes caused by heavy traffic to and from the District are bringing businesses to Loudoun.

“Workers are not willing to travel as far as they once were because the traffic is worse,” Howard said. “It’s hard to get to the District. If [workers] are not moving, then the jobs better move to them.”

Loudoun, like Fairfax, also benefits from its proximity to Dulles International Airport, Howard said, giving workers easy access to flights that connect to other large markets.

“Dulles International Airport is an international gateway and a gateway to other important markets in the United States,” he said. “You can’t underestimate its importance.”

dfrancis@dcexaminer.com