RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of Virginia-based General Dynamics, has selected Prince William County to be the integration and assembly site for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), formerly known as the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle. Through a $64.5 million investment, the project will create 170 new jobs with the potential for 340 jobs over the life of the program. Governor Warner and representatives of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership met with Charles Hall, President of General Dynamics Land Systems, at the company’s headquarters in Sterling Heights, Michigan in January.
“Today’s announcement creates excellent opportunities for hundreds of Virginians to gain high-paying jobs with a well-respected company,” said Governor Warner. “Virginia is taking a proactive economic development stance to recruit defense-related jobs and investment, realizing the growing importance of the industry. I was especially pleased to personally meet with General Dynamics executives earlier this year to discuss Virginia’s advantages for the defense industry.”
General Dynamics Land Systems won the competition in June 1996 to develop and build the U.S. Marine Corps’ new EFV. The program calls for the delivery of more than 1,000 vehicles to the USMC with production beginning in 2005 and continuing into 2018.
“The production site selection process was complex and meticulous,” said John Wosina, General Dynamics Land Systems, Vice President, Amphibious Systems. “We looked at six major factors: cost, facility and the related infrastructure, performance testing capability, environmental considerations, information technology and transportation availability. Each of the 10 bids was evaluated very carefully and objectively. We selected the offer that provided the best value.”
Governor Warner approved a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Prince William County with the project. General Dynamics Land Systems qualifies to receive a $2 million performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership, a program available to existing Virginia firms. The company also qualifies for rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and road access funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development assisted the company with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.
In July 2003, Governor Warner announced that General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products will invest $6.5 million to expand in Southwest Virginia’s Smyth County. The investment will allow the company to relocate its Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) operation to its existing Marion, Virginia facility, creating 120 new jobs. The Commonwealth is ranked second in the nation for federal defense spending. Since September 11, 2001, Virginia companies (and a few federal agencies) in the defense and homeland security arena have announced more than 15,800 jobs and $505.8 million investment in Virginia.
General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 64,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2003 revenues of $15.5 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission-critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.