(Stafford)- Impressive job growth numbers in Stafford. Last night at the county’s annual Business Appreciation Reception it was announced that the county is number one in the state in job creation over the last five years. Economic Development Authority Chairman Joel Griffin said from 2009 to 2014 Stafford averaged 2.6% annual job growth. He said Stafford now provides more than 40,000 jobs. County officials say that’s an all-time high. Stafford is third in business growth with an increase of over 4.1% from the third quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of 2014. Over 2,400 businesses now call Stafford home.