Below is a brief list of Stafford businesses with the largest number of employees.  For additional information about the Tourism industry (1,200 employees+), or Marine Corps Base Quantico (approximately 10,000+ employees), please scroll down below this chart. 

Firm	Product / Service	Employees	Year Est.
BAE Systems	Weapon Systems	250+	2000
Battelle	Research & Development	150+	1995
Coca-Cola Bottling Company	Sales and Distribution	100+	2000
Dominion Virginia Power	Electricity	150+	1979
Federal Express & Federal Express Ground	Delivery Service	90+	1985
Fredericksburg Auto Auction	Dealer Auction	250 FT, 400 PT	1958
GEICO Insurance	Regional Headquarters	3,500+	1995
General Dynamics	Government Technology Service	100	1999
Hilldrup Companies	United Van Lines	300	1947
Intuit, Inc.	Computer Services	600+	1991
L3 Communications	Tactical Services	125	2002
Lifecare	Medical Transports	250	1998
McLane Mid-Atlantic	Retail Distribution	850	1973
MTCSC	Defense Research & Development	250	2002
Northrop Grumman	Information Technology/Logistics	300+	1998
QINETIQ	Technology Services	140	2001
SAIC	Defense Technology Support	100+	2006

 

Tourism Industry

Located along important waterways, developing roadways, and railroad lines, Stafford has been a crossroads for many important events and travelers in history, including Pocahontas, Captain John Smith, young George Washington, and 140,000 Civil War soldiers.  Established in 1664, Stafford has a vested interest in heritage tourism, especially given the fact that Stafford is George Washington's Boyhood Home (site of Ferry Farm), and many other significant cultural, arts, parks and recreation sites. 

A 2009 report shows that over 1,200 people were employed in the local tourism industry.  For more information about the economic impact of travel in Stafford and Virginia, please visit the state industry research webpage of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

The Quantico Marine Corps Base, home of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, has a key role in the economic vitality of Stafford. The Base extends over portions of three localities, including 32,300 acres in Stafford. Currently, 6,097 Marines (one-third officers; two-thirds enlisted personnel) are stationed at the Base. Most live with their families in the surrounding area. In addition, the Base provides employment for 8,358 civilians.

The specialized educational programs at Quantico attract a significant number of officers and their families to this region.  The Marine Corps University is headquartered at Quantico.  It includes the the Command and Staff College, the Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps War College, School of Advanced Warfighting and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.

Several additional advanced training schools are located at the base, including: the Officers Candidate School, The Basic School, the Command and Control Systems School, and Weapons Training Battalion.

The Marine Corps Systems Command a tenant on the base with direct responsibility for 1,650 civilian and military employees and an annual budget over $12.3 billion.

Other federal agencies have also established prestigious programs at Quantico, including: the FBI Academy, the FBI National Crime Lab, a DEA School and the U.S. State Department's Marine Security Battalion.

Most of the military personnel are stationed at Quantico for several years on each tour of duty.  Many ultimately return to the region when they retire because of the exceptional quality of life and accessiblity to Washington, D.C.