Governor Gilmore Announces New Technology Jobs for Prince William County

Covad Communications' Decision Heightens Virginia's Emergence as a Technology Leader

Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Covad Communications will locate a new national technical center in Prince William County. The broadband services company could ultimately create approximately 1,000 technology jobs at the center with a potential total investment of $35 million. 

"Once again, Virginia has won the respect of a leading technology firm," Governor Gilmore said. "We welcome Covad as Virginia's newest corporate citizen and are certain that its innovative business will prosper in Prince William County." 

Covad is the leading national Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband service provider of high-speed Internet and network access. It offers DSL services through Internet Service Providers and computer manufacturers to small and medium-sized businesses, home users and large enterprise customers. Covad plans to occupy initially 50,000 square-feet within a 100,000 square-foot shell building on a 17.7-acre site at the INNOVATION Technology Park in Prince William County. The company could expand into the remaining portion of the building within 30 months. To accommodate additional growth, the company has the rights to an additional five-acre parcel at INNOVATION. 

"Virginia's support for this project was instrumental in our location choice," said Cathy Hemmer, chief operating officer of Covad. "We expect to have a rewarding and prosperous experience here, both for Covad and for the citizens of Prince William County, along with all our customers who will benefit from the strengthened network technical support that this facility will supply." 

"Covad will benefit from Northern Virginia's highly-skilled workforce," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal. "By creating up to 1,000 new jobs, the company will become one of the largest private employers in Prince William County." 

Governor Gilmore approved a grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund in the amount of $807,000 to assist Prince William County with site preparation. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development assisted Covad with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services. 

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