• Industry Overview

    • Thriving and Diverse BPS Ecosystem

    Virginia’s vibrant business ecosystem supports a fast-growing BPS industry of over 2,700 companies in a range of BPS segments – including back-office and business support services, call centers, and consulting. Industry leaders in Virginia include ADP, Navy Federal Credit Union, GEICO, T-Mobile, and EY. The BPS industry varies widely across regions of Virginia: Northern Virginia, for example, is known for major IT and consulting companies and federal contractors, while the scenic Southwest Virginia region is a cost-competitive location for back-office and call center operations.

    BPS Logo Map

    America’s Top State for Talent

    Ranked No. 2 in the U.S. for Education by CNBC, Virginia is home to almost 260,000 people employed by BPS companies and nearly a half million people working in key occupations relevant to the industry, both in the BPS industry and beyond. Virginia’s excellent education systems ensure a steady flow of new talent every year, with 60% of undergraduates staying in Virginia upon degree completion. The state’s higher education system is ranked No. 2 in the U.S. (SmartAsset, 2022), and K-12 schools are ranked No. 1 in the South and No. 4 in the U.S. (WalletHub, 2021).

    WalletHub_Best Public Schools in the South
    CNBC_#2_Education_2022
    SmartAsset_#2 Higher Ed_2022
    ADP Norfolk

    ADP, Norfolk

    ADP Accesses Talent in Virginia

    In March 2016, ADP announced plans to invest $32.25 million to establish a regional customer service center in the City of Norfolk, creating more than 1,800 new jobs. Today, ADP employs more than 2,200 at its Norfolk facility—well over the estimated job creation—and is a marquee company on Norfolk’s corporate roster and an active member of the community. 

    Read the Full Case Study

    Seamless Global and Local Connectivity

    Corporate travelers have access to world-class international flight service from Northern Virginia’s airports, as well as frequent direct flights from airports across Virginia to all key markets. Virginia, which ranks No. 1 among Southeastern states for public transit, offers BPS employees access to environmentally friendly transportation via rail, metro, and bus systems. The state’s long-term infrastructure investments in fiber optic connectivity have created a top environment for BPS companies to flourish, with the third-fastest average internet speed in the U.S. A recent investment of $700 million will expand broadband coverage to all of Virginia by 2024.

    16 COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS

    Sixteen commercial airports serving Virginia with direct flights to 100+ domestic and 50+ international destinations

    $27B FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

    $27 billion committed for transportation projects over the next six years

    #3 FASTEST INTERNET SPEED

    No. 3 fastest internet speed in the country according to WalletHub

    Main Street Station, Richmond

    Main Street Station, Richmond

    Strategic Mid-Atlantic Location

    By virtue of its position in the Eastern Time Zone, Virginia offers an easily accessible base of operations for companies expanding into the North American and European markets and its strategic location on the East Coast offers important advantages for BPS companies through proximity to key economic hubs, including critical customer markets in the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast Corridor, and fast-growing metropolitan areas across the Southeast. Virginia’s proximity to Washington, D.C. is also a major advantage for BPS companies with federal contracts.

    Since opening our first customer support center here in 2019, the Richmond region has proven to be the ideal place to launch SimpliSafe into its next phase of growth...and this market is rich with exceptional talent.

    Christian Cerda CEO, SimpliSafe
    CoStar, Richmond

    CoStar, Richmond

    An Attractive, Stable, and Predictable Operating Environment

    In 2022, CNBC identified Virginia as America’s No. 3 Top State for Business for its business-friendly regulations, stable tax environment, and competitive costs of doing business. Virginia is widely recognized as one of the best-run states in the country, ranked No. 2 for governance by U.S. News & World Report, and having maintained a AAA bond rating since 1938, longer than any other state. Virginia’s total state and local taxes are lower than the nationwide average, and costs of leasing, construction, and utilities are competitive with other major BPS hubs in the United States.

    Booz Allen Hamilton, Fairfax County

    Booz Allen Hamilton, Fairfax County

    Robust Real Estate Portfolio

    With 50 million square feet of office space on the market, Virginia is continuously expanding its portfolio of commercial real estate options. BPS companies have abundant access to new-build Class A office space, economical Class B and Class C office space options, and alternate, cost-competitive options such as flex space and converted retail space.

    An Exceptional Quality of Life

    With a competitive cost of living, a mild, four-season climate, and unrivaled natural and cultural attractions, Virginia offers an exceptional quality of life. Virginia residents enjoy life in vibrant cities and picturesque small towns, within easy driving distance to scenic shorelines and mountain vistas. For these reasons and many others, Forbes ranked Virginia No. 1 in the U.S. for quality of life.

    Virginia residents enjoy a cost of living below or in line with the national average in 70% of Virginia cities and counties. Overall, Virginia averages just 3.3% above the nationwide average compared to states like California (+35.9%), Massachusetts (+30.5%), and Maryland (+26.8%). 

    Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Henrico

    Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Henrico

    Hampton Coliseum

    Hampton Coliseum

    Stone Tower Winery, Loudoun County

    Stone Tower Winery, Loudoun County

    America’s Mid-Atlantic Hub for Business Services

    View our brochure