Delores Conway, director of the Casden Forecast, said steady job growth, a lively tourism industry and a solid real estate market are among the reasons for higher office occupancy. Conway said the Orange County job market is particularly strong, and that businesses are purchasing more office space here in preparation for expansion. "We're seeing businesses starting to lease office space rather than wait," Conway said. "Businesses are hiring and making future investments." Conway referred to the area around the airport as the "central business district" in Orange County. "It's popular because of the proximity to the airport as well as areas further north," Conway said.
