Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced that technology and defense powerhouse Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is moving its corporate headquarters from San Diego to the company’s McLean campus in Fairfax County. The scientific, engineering, and technology applications company plans to invest $25 million as part of the relocation and is expected to create 1,200 new jobs over the next three years, adding to its current base of approximately 17,500 employees in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.
“As one of the largest employers in Northern Virginia, SAIC already has a significant, positive impact on communities in the Commonwealth,” said Kaine. “By expanding its investment in McLean, SAIC not only joins a growing list of Fortune 500 companies who call the Commonwealth home—it confirms Virginia’s status as the ‘Best State for Business in America.’”
SAIC is a Fortune 500 scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company’s approximately 45,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. SAIC had annual revenues of $10.1 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. The relocation puts the company’s leadership team in close proximity to its federal government customers while creating new, high-paying jobs for the area.
“Virginia’s favorable business environment, highly skilled workforce and attractive quality of life combine to make this an ideal location for our corporate headquarters,” said Walt Havenstein, SAIC chief executive officer. “We commend Gov. Kaine and his team across the state for creating an environment that is very supportive of business.”
“This announcement is well aligned with our efforts to attract headquarters as well as companies in the high tech and defense industries,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick Gottschalk.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $1.5 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the project. The Governor also approved $7 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. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training and training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“SAIC has been one of Fairfax County’s largest employers and one of its most important corporate citizens, and I am delighted that the company is furthering its investment in the county by relocating its headquarters here,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova. “This is a tremendous vote of confidence in Fairfax County and Virginia as a business location, and in the work of many people to create the kind of community that attracts high-quality companies and helps them succeed.”
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