June, 2010

After the ribbon cutting for Projet Aviation last week the Leesburg Economic Commission stayed on-site to hold its monthly meeting rather than go back to Town Hall.  That seemed rather appropriate since in my opinion, Leesburg Executive Airport should be considered Leesburg's second most important engine for economic growth (I consider Leesburg's quality of life as its most important aspect).

Both Dulles and Leesburg airports have been around about the same amount of time, from the early '60s. Dulles spurred the rapid growth of industry along the Rt. 28 corridor which in turn spurred the growth of Loudoun County into one of the wealthiest counties in the known universe.

What businesses are close to Leesburg's airport?  Well, there are some companies that have located along Miller Drive, service companies and a couple of light manfacturers, but I ask you to look along the east side of Sycolin.  Those old farms are pretty much now locations for government activities and we all know that goverment uses money, it doesn't create it.

I don't understand why light manufacturing doesn't locate across from the airport.  Besides the airport you have road proximity to the the Leesburg bypass and in short order you can get to I-81 or use the Greenway to get you not just to Dulles but also I-495 and I-95. If high-tech or bio-tech located there the value of their products might be high enough to warrant flying parts in and finished goods out.

Perhaps we could enlist the aid of folks already in the manufacturing world to figure out how to recruit new manufacturers to Leesburg.  Delegate Joe May is in the electronics world. REHAU, the international plastics processor with their north American headquaters here, would be another possible consultant.

Pushing the town's economic base towards hospitality, education and cultural events is good and desirable. But the community that builds and exports goods will ultimately come out on top.