STAFFORD, VA-Retailers are discovering the favorable fundamentals of Stafford County; there are some 100,00 square feet of retail projects in the region's pipeline. These projects include tenants under construction and in the permitting phase. Furthermore, Timothy J. Baroody, deputy county administrator and director of Economic Development, tells GlobeSt.com that there is another 150,000 square feet of retail projects in various stages of conversation. "These are serious conversations, many of which are with national retailers," he says. "They are not just kicking tires."

The most recent sign of Stafford's retail renaissance is a small one: Panera Bread opened a second location there. However, a number of other retailers have inked space as well, many along Route 17—the hub of the county's Southern Gateway Redevelopment Plan. There are six retail sites currently under development along Route 17 at the moment, all national credit tenants. Some of these retailers include a microbrewery, Goodyear, Wawa, Dunkin Donuts, Merchants Tire, and a CVS and Walgreens.

"Retailers have discovered Stafford," Baroody says.

"Historically over previous the decade they have migrated south and to the north of us, but in the last couple of years they have started to pay attention to Stafford."

One driver has been the local population's increased spending power, he says. According to a Census report released shortly before the government shutdown, Stafford now ranks 12th for median family income at $108,392. "That is something that retailers pay attention to," Baroody says.

It is not just retail that is eyeing Stafford County – hotels too are drawn the market as its tourist traffic steps up. Baroody notes that there are three hotels currently in the pipeline, including a new Courtyard by Marriott at Quantico Corporate Center.