VIRGINIA BEACH - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that AMERIGROUP Corporation will expand its national operations in the City of Virginia Beach, creating 858 new jobs. Through a $56 million investment, the company will construct two 106,000-square-foot buildings on property just off Indian River Road and with prime access and frontage to Interstate 64. Virginia successfully competed with Texas for the project. Governor Warner and AMERIGROUP Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffery L. McWaters announced the project at an event today in Virginia Beach.
“I was pleased to personally work with AMERIGROUP executives during their site selection process,” said Governor Warner. “This growing company currently employs nearly 2,300 associates, of which 1,300 are Virginians. AMERIGROUP’s decision to expand in Virginia is a testament to the state’s pro-business climate and the quality workforce in the Hampton Roads region.”
AMERIGROUP Corporation, a Fortune 1000 company and headquartered in Virginia Beach, is a multi-state managed health care company focused on serving people who receive health care benefits through public-sponsored programs including Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which is called FAMIS or Family Access to Medical Insurance Security in Virginia, and FamilyCare. The company currently operates in Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida Illinois and the District of Columbia and serves nearly 800,000 members.
The new facilities will be home to AMERIGROUP’s Information Technology staff as well as many of the company’s health care professionals, including its Member Provider Services, and Nurse HelpLine associates, who responded to more than 2.2 million inquiries last year from its members and health care providers. The company plans to occupy the first building as of September 2004.
“AMERIGROUP has made its headquarters in Virginia Beach since its founding in 1994. Over the past nine years, we have come to appreciate Virginia’s highly qualified and motivated workforce, as well as the state’s outstanding continuing education and workforce retraining opportunities,” said Jeffery McWaters, AMERIGROUP Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Governor Warner was personally involved in this decision and I appreciate his leadership. We look forward to working with the Governor, Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and their economic development teams as we continue our longstanding commitment to Virginia.”
Governor Warner approved a $1.45 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Virginia Beach with the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the City of Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development and the Virginia Beach Development Authority assisted AMERIGROUP Corporation with its decision. AMERIGROUP also qualifies for a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit, a statutory incentive available to all qualifying companies. To support the company’s ongoing investment, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training as well as retraining assistance for existing AMERIGROUP jobs.
“I’m delighted to share the podium today with Governor Warner and Mr. McWaters as we celebrate AMERIGROUP Corporation’s phenomenal growth and continuing success in this great city,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf. “When we grow them in Virginia Beach, we grow them right – and we as a city do all that we can to nurture fine corporate citizens and powerful economic engines such as AMERIGROUP.”
Additionally, The AMERIGROUP Foundation today presented “Champion for Children” awards to Governor Warner and Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf. The awards are part of a national program by the AMERIGROUP Foundation to recognize outstanding public advocacy efforts by government and community leaders in improving the health and well-being of the nation’s children.
“Governor Warner continues to demonstrate his commitment to the health and education of all Virginians,” said Jeffrey L. McWaters, chairman of the AMERIGROUP Foundation. “His leadership in enrolling children in the Commonwealth’s FAMIS health insurance program, particularly during difficult budget times, demonstrates an understanding of the long-term benefits of quality health care. We salute him for accomplishments that advance our shared goals of creating healthy communities, starting with our children.
The AMERIGROUP Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the AMERIGROUP Corporation, a multi-state managed health care company based in Virginia Beach. The Foundation works to create healthy communities by fostering access to health care, encouraging safe and healthy children and families, and promoting community improvement and healthy neighborhoods. For more information about the AMERIGROUP Foundation, visit www.amerigroupcorp.com/foundation.