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Commissioner David Miles Speaks Out At Economic Development Meeting

For those readers who do not live in the Northern Virginia area, you are probably unaware that Loudoun County that sits about an hour west of Washington, DC, is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. It is in a rural area away from the overcrowded neighborhoods of counties to the east. Its proximity to Washington makes it an attractive place to live and from which to commute to work.  That is—it used to be these things until the growth got in the way of economic development. One of the hottest topics in all branches of government is how to manage the growth, how to grow the tax base without raising taxes, how to get money from the Commonwealth government to help fund new roads, new schools, and new infrastructure. It is a very complex and hotly debated subject.

The Economic Development Commission which has oversight over some of the growth and development issues, recently had a round table discussion during one of its monthly meetings during which Chairman Joseph Paciulli encouraged a frank discussion of members’ concerns. Immediately the topic of roads and inadequate new construction was placed on the table. One member cited a report that predicted a 12% increase in road capacity during the next 25 years. And while that was good news, the next line in the report said that in the same time frame, the county could expect a 36% in demand.  Another member talked about traffic spilling off the main roads onto side streets causing overload and congestion in our communities.

Increasing commute times due to road congestion was placed on the table along with a call for more public transportation and mass transit.  At this point, Commissioner David C. Miles, who is Chairman of the Miles LeHane Companies, said he travels extensively to Las Vegas and since that area shares the “fastest-growing large county” crown with Loudoun, he was interested in how they did things out there. He said “their whole attitude is action oriented. I think we suffer from too much intellectual capital … We debate everything to death and then don’t do a damn thing about it.”

Miles said, speaking as a small business owner, “that may sound harsh and cruel, but it amazes me how we can talk and talk and talk about traffic for two hours and then not really have a call to action to deal with this stuff. It’s phenomenal how we talk ourselves into oblivion.” He suggested paraphrasing the Nike sports equipment company slogan and “let’s just do it…do something.”

Miles said Dulles Airport should adopt some of the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport’s promotional campaign of displaying tourism-oriented material near the security lines.

Summing up the frustrations of many EDC members, Miles said he was sick and tired of the state of Virginia telling local governments such as Loudoun that there was no money for road improvements and other projects.

“With all the money we send to the state, tell them to find it…it’s our money to start with.” Miles concluded, “We don’t stand up and we don’t go down there [to Richmond] and demand it. Like I said, we are suffering from out own intellectual capital and are too politically correct.”

The round table continued with other members adding their thoughts and concerns.