Move To Virginia Will Bring Company Leaders Closer To Federal
Government, Key Customers
Northrop
Grumman Corporation says it will be loading up the trucks and
moving east ... to new corporate office in Virginia, concluding a
search that also included the state of Maryland and the District of
Columbia.
"We are pleased to have identified Virginia as the home for our
new corporate office. Virginia, Maryland and the District put
forward compelling, competitive offers. Our final decision was
driven largely by facility considerations, proximity to our
customers, and overall economics," said Wes Bush, chief executive
officer and president. "We are very appreciative for the tremendous
assistance we received from Governor O'Malley and the State of
Maryland, Mayor Fenty and the District of Columbia, and Governor
McDonnell and the Commonwealth of Virginia as well many local
counties and municipalities."
Virginia reportedly spent $14-$16 million to lure the Northrop
Grumman headquarters from the west coast.
Northrop Grumman is currently conducting negotiations with
several building owners in the Falls Church/Arlington area, with a
specific building selection to be announced soon. The company
expects to initiate operations in the new corporate office in
summer of 2011 with approximately 300 people. Northrop Grumman
currently employs approximately 40,000 people in Maryland, Virginia
and Washington, D.C. and is the largest industrial employer in both
states.
"The
foremost priority of our Administration is creating new jobs and
getting our economy back on track," said Virginia Governor Bob
McDonnell (pictured, right). "Today's announcement that Northrop
Grumman, a Fortune 100 company, is moving to Virginia is a major
step forward in this effort. Northrop Grumman and the Commonwealth
of Virginia have long shared a close and positive working
relationship. To gain the corporate headquarters of one of the
largest defense and global security contractors in the world is a
testament to the strong business climate that we are focused on
continually improving. This Administration will keep taxes and
regulations and litigation at a minimum to attract job creators
from around the world to our state to ensure more new opportunities
for all Virginians. I welcome Northrop Grumman to Virginia. I know
the company will be a great corporate citizen and partner, and I
thank Wes Bush and his team for their investment in the future of
Virginia."
"We were fortunate to have so many great choices in this region,
where Northrop Grumman has such an extensive business base," Bush
said. "We are grateful to Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb of
Virginia, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, Congressman Jim Moran,
Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin of Maryland, Majority
Leader Steny Hoyer and the entire congressional delegations of both
states for their strong and continued support of the defense
industrial base and job creation that is critical to the economic
success of the Mid-Atlantic region."