ARLINGTON COUNTY - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that the AES Corporation selected Arlington County as the location for its new, expanded global corporate headquarters. The new headquarters will create space for 115 new jobs that AES will add to join its current corporate group of 185 people located in Virginia. Through a $5 million investment, AES will build out a new corporate headquarters location to accommodate growth in the company. Virginia successfully competed with Washington, D.C. and Maryland for the project. Governor Warner announced the project during his keynote speech at today’s Arlington Chamber of Commerce meeting.
“AES has been located in Arlington County for 22 years,” said Governor Warner. “This expansion project is a substantial commitment to and vote of confidence for the business climate of Arlington County and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
“AES is a home-grown Fortune 500 company, founded in Arlington and known worldwide,” said Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson. "The company has been a valued member of our corporate community for 22 years, and is now positioning for continued growth. We are proud that AES has chosen to expand their business here in Arlington.”
The AES Corporation is a leading independent power company. AES owns and operates over $34 billion of assets in 28 countries on five continents, including 119 power generation facilities that provide over 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity. In addition, AES operates 17 electric distribution companies that deliver electricity to approximately 11 million end-use customers. Approximately 24 percent of AES's revenues come from businesses in North America, 18 percent from the Caribbean, 34 percent from South America, 19 percent from Europe and Africa, and five percent from Asia.
“After several months of evaluation and negotiation, the AES Corporation is pleased to announce that we have chosen to locate our new Global Corporate Headquarters in Arlington County,” said AES President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Hanrahan. “As a growing Fortune 500 company, we believe that Virginia will afford us strong opportunities for the continued strengthening of our corporate functions and a strategic location from which to interact with our global operations. Our thanks to Governor Warner and Arlington County for the significant support provided as we considered our options in the Metro Washington area.”
Governor Warner approved a $207,500 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to support Arlington County with this project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Arlington County Department of Economic Development assisted AES Corporation with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.