RICHMOND - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that BAE SYSTEMS will expand in Fairfax County. The company will create nearly 1,000 new jobs through an investment of $51.6 million. The new positions will range from systems integration and development engineers to network and software engineers. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland and Washington, D.C. for this investment.
“I am especially pleased to see a defense and aerospace company such as BAE SYSTEMS expanding at such a pertinent time for the Commonwealth and the nation,” said Governor Gilmore. “This expansion was in part a result of the Commonwealth’s proactive economic development stance. Virginia’s first meeting with BAE SYSTEMS was at the Paris Air Show -- a show that Virginia attends annually.”
Governor Gilmore approved a $50,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with public infrastructure. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority assisted BAE SYSTEMS with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.
BAE SYSTEMS will open a new 135,000 square foot office complex in Reston, which will house several units including the company’s newly formed Integrated Systems business unit. The facility, which is scheduled for occupancy in the fall of 2002, will eventually house nearly 400 employees. Additional personnel will be based at government and BAE SYSTEMS customer sites throughout Northern Virginia. The new positions will be in addition to the 2,500 people BAE SYSTEMS currently employs in the Commonwealth.
“BAE SYSTEMS has a strong U.S. heritage,” said Mark Ronald, BAE SYSTEMS North America President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have established an impressive record of growing our businesses, investing in jobs and new technologies, and supporting the communities where our employees live and work. The State of Virginia is an excellent place to do business and Fairfax County provided the proper incentives and infrastructure for this new business opportunity.”
BAE SYSTEMS North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 22,000 in the design, development, integration, manufacture and support of a wide range of advanced aerospace products and intelligent electronic systems. BAE SYSTEMS employees -- who live and work in 30 states and the District of Columbia -- provide both highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defense electronics, information technology and services arenas.
“Aerospace and defense are two very important industries to this administration, even more so since September 11th,” said Secretary of Commerce Joshua N. Lief. “BAE SYSTEMS’ expansion will continue to help Virginia’s economy in this economic slowdown and the company’s products will boost our nation’s safety.”