Stafford Luring Larger Retailers

By URIAH KISER

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va . — Stafford is going shopping for more places to shop.

Following an 2012 economic study that stated the county was losing $656 million per year in retail dollars spent elsewhere in places like Fredericksburg and Prince William County, Stafford’s economic development team aims to reclaim some of that cash.

The team that’s already been successful in helping to lure several high-profile technology firms to the Quantico Corporate Center will head to the International Council of Shopping Center’s Mid-Atlantic Conference at National Harbor. They already have meetings lined up with some of the area’s largest retailers.

“This is Stafford’s first time at this conference and we know we have to make an impression, and we know it’s important to be seen at this event,” said Stafford County Economic Development Business Retention Manager Bethany J. Miller.

Face-to-face meetings are arranged with the likes of Wegmans grocers, Aldi, Shop Co., a media publishing company, and several other brokers and developers who will have the opportunity to learn more about the burgeoning county of 132,000 people.

“We have to be proactive in telling retailers about the spending ability in Stafford,” said Miller. “From the report last year, the one thing that really stuck out to me is the $656 million each year that’s going out of the county – we need to work to make sure more of that stays here.”

The county’s economic development office has found an ally in Kimco Realty, known for their shopping centers like Stafford Market Place and Doc Stone Commons on Va. 610 in North Stafford, and for Smoketown Stations on Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. The developer has worked with Stafford to help set the meetings with businesses, said Miller.

While Stafford has the spending power, it lacks the density many retailers like to see when setting up shop. The county remains widely rural with the exception of two major development centers on Va. 610 in the north and along busy U.S. 17 in the south. Many other roads in Stafford County are antiquated two-lane thoroughfares that don’t easily lend themselves to high-capacity traffic.

Last year’s report also stated the county’s lack of a downtown, an arts and culture class, and a perception that the jurisdiction is made up of only blue collar workers has kept out stores like Trader Joes and restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory.

Officials hope their success in luring tech firms, and the opening of a new technology and research park at Quantico Corporate Center, and the county’s low cost of living, will help peak the interest of potential investors.