Baan's Decision, $40 Million Investment to Create 1,000 New Jobs
Seoul, South Korea - In the second week of his trade mission to Southeast Asia, Governor George Allen today announced the decision by Baan Investment B.V. to locate offices and a training facility in Loudoun County, an investment of $40 million over time which will create 1000 new jobs for Virginians. The Netherlands-based company will construct a campus-style complex consisting of both office space and training facilities which will ultimately encompass 2.5 million square feet.
"On behalf of all Virginians, I am proud to welcome this highly respected international software development firm to Virginia's corporate family," said Governor Allen. "Baan's decision represents one of the largest investments to take place in Loudoun County history and enhances Virginia's already well-established position as The Silicon Dominion." The confirmation by Baan Investment B.V. that they had selected Virginia over New Jersey, California, Michigan and Massachusetts for the facility was especially gratifying for Governor Allen because the project is an outgrowth of the Governor's European trade mission earlier this year. In addition to meeting with Loudoun County officials, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Robert T. Skunda and representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership met with Baan executives in Putten, The Netherlands during the European Trade Mission this summer. Governor Allen also met with Baan representatives in the U.S. during July to further emphasize the advantages of locating in Virginia.
"During our meetings with Baan, they emphasized the importance of positive tax and regulatory policies and the ability to recruit the kind of capable workforce necessary for their company to succeed," stated Governor Allen.
"The positive response from local and state officials to our proposal to consolidate major Baan interests in an environmentally sensitive office and educational campus in Loudoun County was a definite factor in our decision to locate in the Commonwealth of Virginia," said Baan Investment founder Paul Baan.
Baan Investment B.V. has acquired Janelia Farm in Loudoun County, a 281-acre tract of land located in the Route 7 corridor east of Leesburg, which has frontage on the Potomac River. Janelia Farm includes a three-story Normandy-style manor house and an adjacent carriage house which are listed on the National Historic Register. Baan projects that up to 1,000 employees and students will be located on the Janelia Farm site within the next three to five years. The first phase will restore and renovate the manor house and related gardens. This phase calls for the initial development of approximately 550,000 square feet of corporate office and research and development facilities, including an educational center, The Baan Institute, for its employees. Baan is currently located in leased office space in Reston Town Center in Fairfax County. The 100 employees currently located there will transfer to the new campus in Loudoun County once the initial stage of development has been completed.
Baan Investment B.V. is based in Putten, The Netherlands, and was founded by Jan Baan and Paul Baan, who are also the founders of The Baan Company, a leading global provider of Enterprise Business Management Software. Baan Investment B.V. is not part of nor consolidated with The Baan Company, but Baan Investment B.V. is a substantial shareholder of The Baan Company.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development assisted the company with its decision.
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