Fairfax City Economic Development Official To Lead Vienna's Economic Development

VIENNA, VA — After the departure of Vienna's first economic development director, a new director was chosen from Fairfax City Economic Development.

The town announced Nicole Toulouse will be the next economic development director, effective Jan. 13. 2025. Toulouse most recently has been senior assistant director of business development for Fairfax City Economic Development.

"Nicole’s experience successfully leading economic development initiatives in neighboring Fairfax City, along with her vision to further strengthen our business community, attract new businesses, and enhance the local tax base is what will help Vienna maintain its competitiveness and allow our local economy to continue to thrive," said Town Manager Mercury Payton in a statement. "I am confident Nicole will lead Vienna’s Economic Development Department with ease, ensuring our business community is taken care of as she seeks new opportunities for growth and innovation."

The selection was made after a nationwide search. Natalie Guilmeus, who had served as Vienna's first economic development director since 2019, announced in October she would step down to take a role with Virginia Beach Economic Development Department.

According to town government, Toulouse led initiatives in Fairfax City to increase business license tax revenues by 12 percent annually, increase real estate assessments by 6 percent, and help commercial vacancies fall to 6.5 percent. She worked on the city's comprehensive plan with an initiative for business grants to improve facades and reduce vacancies and recently chaired the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance’s Business Development Committee to help attract business to the region. Toulouse was part of Northern Virginia's 40 Under 40 list and has a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in public policy and economics from the University of Delaware.

The town's economic development office oversees efforts to promote Vienna's long-term economic vibrancy and competitiveness. It provides services to the business community to help attract and retain businesses. It also runs the Explore Vienna VA website and organizes events like Vienna Restaurant Week.