VA: Governor McDonnell Announces 625 New Jobs in Fairfax County

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Governor Bob McDonnell recently announced that Bechtel Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering, construction and project management companies, will relocate its Global Operations headquarters from Maryland to Fairfax County. The company will also establish its Government Services group headquarters, a presence for its Civil business unit, and offices for several corporate functions and services, creating a total of 625 new jobs.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Gaining an international company like Bechtel Corporation is a huge coup for Virginia and Fairfax County. The company was attracted to the Commonwealth due to its business environment, cost, and ability to attract the best workforce to meet future growth needs, especially IT and engineering employees in the area. This tremendous project will also create 625 new jobs with salaries above the average prevailing wage for the region. I am thrilled that Bechtel will continue to expand its presence around the globe from Fairfax County, Virginia.”

“Winning this significant project was a priority for Governor McDonnell’s Administration,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “We met with company officials several times to prove that Virginia, and ultimately Fairfax County, is the right fit for Bechtel Corporation. I congratulate the company on 625 new jobs and its significant investment to call Virginia home to its Global Operations and Government Services group.”

Bechtel Corporation is among the most respected engineering, project management, and construction companies in the world. Founded in 1898, the company has worked on more than 22,000 projects in 140 countries on all seven continents. Today, its 53,000 employees team with customers, partners and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 50 countries through its five global business units that specialize in civil infrastructure; power generation; communications and transmission; mining and metals; oil, gas and chemicals; and government services. Bechtel reported annual sales of $27 billion for year ending 2010. The company’s corporate headquarters is in San Francisco, California.

“We look forward to opening our offices in Reston, Virginia next year,” said Bill Dudley, Bechtel president and chief operating officer. “The Reston Town Center is an ideal location for Bechtel and makes the best sense for the long-term positioning of parts of our business. We will have a central, more convenient location to Washington, DC, and the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports, which facilitates access to our domestic and international customers; and proximity to the Dulles Technology Corridor.” Dudley added that the new location will house Bechtel’s government services unit, its U.S.-based Civil business unit, Bechtel Enterprises and its local corporate functions and services.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $1.5 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the project. The Governor also approved $5 million in funds from the Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant (VEDIG). VEDIG was established as a self-funded program of performance-based incentives that the Commonwealth awards to exceptional economic development projects with large numbers of employees and very high wages relative to average wages for that particular area. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment, training and retraining activities.

“Bechtel is a major international presence in the engineering and construction industry, and its operations will be an important addition to the diversity of Fairfax County’s economic base,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). “The company will benefit from a world-class workforce and quality of life, and Fairfax County will benefit in myriad ways by the addition of a world-renowned company in a community that is home to nine Fortune 500 headquarters.”