Report Shows $72 Billion Loss Without the Silver Line

A recent analysis shows that Loudoun County could suffer a $72.2 billion economic blow without the second phase of the Silver Line, according to an article on WTOP. 

George Mason's Director for the Center for Regional Analysis Stephen Fuller said he has studied the impact of the subway line and concluded that the second phase is needed for the local area.

It would provide subway services from Reston to Dulles International Airport, he said, and into Loudoun County. It would also bring 40,000 professional and business-service jobs to the local area. Without it, Fuller said his report shows that the county would lose $72.2 billion between 2020 and 2030 alone. 

However, some members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors say they aren't convinced. Supervisor Ken Reid (Leesburg) said the study is not official to Loudoun County. 

The results are questionable, he said, because the report was paid for with money from developers. Fuller says a donation was made to the George Mason Foundation to pay for the study but who it came from did not change his findings.

Supervisor Supervisor Ralph Buana (Ashburn), on the other hand, favors Silver Line participation and said that Fuller's report is convincing.

"This further enhances my beliefs that this is a sound economic decision and an important long term decision for the county," Buana said, according to the article. 

To read more visit WTOP online.