It’s no secret Gov. Bob McDonnell is willing to poach jobs from neighboring Maryland to boost employment in Virginia. Once again, he has succeeded.
International construction and engineering giant Bechtel Corporation will move its Global Operations headquarters from Frederick to Reston and establish a Government Service group headquarters and other offices. With the move and expansion of operations, 625 jobs will be created.
“Gaining an international company like Bechtel Corporation is a huge coup for Virginia and Fairfax County,” McDonnell said Monday. “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.”
Bechtel’s corporate office is in San Francisco. The privately owned company reported $27 billion in sales for 2010. McDonnell approved a $1.5 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund in addition to $5 million from the Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant to help pay for the relocation to the Reston Town Center.
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The announcement comes as speculation mounts that McDonnell’s Republican administration is actively pursuing Lockheed Martin away from Montgomery County, Maryland. Lockhheed officials were reportedly upset that Montgomery County officials took up a resolution urging the federal government to cut defense spending on which Lockheed depends.
McDonnell continues to promote Virginia as a tax-friendly state with an educated workforce and ideal central location on the East Coast. Northrop Grumman recently cut the ribbon on its new headquarters in Fairfax County, choosing Virginia over Maryland in its bid to leave California.
