FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) has shifted its European office to Munich, Germany, to work with companies on the continent interested in expanding into the United States. FCEDA European operations had been based in Frankfurt since 2000. The emerging information technology economy in the Munich area and the state of Bavaria, and improving air service connections between the Washington area and Bavaria, prompted the move to Munich.
About 125 businesses based in continental Europe have operations in Fairfax County, including large companies such as Siemens, Software AG, Volkswagen and Audi (Germany); Airbus, Orange Business Services and Lafarge (France); and Gate Gourmet (Switzerland).
Leading FCEDA efforts in Europe is Guenther Stodiek, an associate partner at GENIC GmbH, which offers consulting services to technology companies. Previously he worked for KPMG in Munich and HypoVereinsbank in New York, and founded a software development company in San Diego, California.
“The growing high-technology base in the Munich area and Bavaria is similar to that in Fairfax County, which makes Fairfax County a great fit for Bavarian companies interested in expanding in U.S. markets,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the FCEDA. “A Munich location also gives us excellent access to IT hubs in western and central Europe, and improved service between Washington Dulles International Airport and Munich International Airport will strengthen economic connections between our two areas.”
The FCEDA has had an international marketing program since the mid-1990s to work with foreign-owned firms around the globe that want to expand in the U.S. Other FCEDA offices are in four important overseas business centers: Bangalore, London, Seoul and Tel Aviv..
Time magazine called Fairfax County, just outside Washington, D.C., “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth helps Fairfax County fund the nation’s top-rated school system and public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport and a well-educated workforce.
The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center.
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