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Our Business Environment
Culpeper's prime location in Virginia makes it a perfect center
for doing business with cities in the north, south, and central
United States. In fact, Culpeper County has the highest concentration
of international business anywhere in the surrounding region.
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Foreign Trade Zone -
Culpeper County is one of Virginia's five strategically-created
Foreign Trade Zones. A foreign trade zone is a site within the
United States where foreign and domestic merchandise is generally
considered to be international commerce. As such, merchandise
may enter this zone without formal Customs entry or the payment
of Customs duties or government excise taxes. The zone allows
companies involved in international commerce to improve the
cost competitiveness of their U.S.-based operations in the global
marketplace.
- Economy -
While Culpeper is now home to some of the nation's leading manufacturing,
distribution and service firms, the county's agricultural roots
remain strong. Our balanced economy grows everything from fiber
optic networks to Cabernet. Today, Culpeper offers a unique combination
of businesses, farms and residential communities that provide
the perfect blend of modern convenience in a rural setting.
- Manufacturing - Culpeper enjoys a diversified economy with
strong manufacturing, trade, services, and agricultural sectors.
Manufacturing activity includes: auto parts, furniture and
cabinetry, wire cable, fiber optics, and iron castings.
- Service - Major service industries include: international
financial telecommunications, uniform rentals, health car,
education, and government. International firms have significant
presence in the community.
- Retail (sales information) - Retail sales were (in millions):
$ 189.9 in 1990, $ 256.3 in 1995, and $ 305.9 in 1998. Major
retail components were food, general merchandise, building,
automotive and apparel.
- Agriculture (products sold) - Agriculture remains important
in Culpeper's economy with beef cattle the principle livestock
and soy beans, corn and hay the major cash crops. The market
value of agricultural products sold in 1996 was $ 25,931,000.
- Economic Development -
Culpeper has a progressive, award-winning Economic Development
program which focuses on attracting, nurturing and retaining businesses
with which Culpeper shares a win/win relationship.
- Employment Demographics
- Virginia, a Right to Work State
The Commonwealth of Virginia is the northern most state on
the east coast with a right to work law and some of the lowest
taxes in the nation.
Culpeper has a total civilian labor force of 17,736 with an
unemployment rate of 1.8% (September 2001.) As an employment
hub for the planning district, Culpeper draws on a labor force
in excess of 72,000. Employment is concentrated in trade and
services, followed by manufacturing. Approximately 40% of
the workforce commutes outside the county for jobs.
- Programs & Incentives
Culpeper is proud to have a Workforce Investment Program,
as well as an advanced Technology Initiative, to provide an
educated labor force.
The Virginia Department of Economic Development has an employee
training and workforce development program that designs classes
to meet industrial needs.
In addition, Virginia has many progressive and innovative
business assistance programs, including Financial Help, Workforce
Training Assistance, Specialized Support and much more.
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