Bechtel to expand presence in Fairfax County, relocate 700 employees and invest $10 million
05 March 2015 - 2:05AM
Business Wire
Corporate restructuring nearly doubles company’s footprint in
Reston area
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Bechtel
Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering, construction
and project management companies, will relocate 700 jobs to Fairfax
County from its Frederick, Md., operation as a result of global
restructuring. The company will invest $10 million in the Fairfax
County location as a result of the move.
Bechtel will lease up to 175,000 square feet in the Reston area
of Fairfax County for the expansion.
“This is the second time in less than four years that we have
had the pleasure of announcing Bechtel job growth, which speaks
volumes about the confidence the company has in Fairfax County as a
business location,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO
of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).
“Bechtel is a great corporate citizen, and we are delighted that
the company can take advantage of the business assets and quality
of life that the county offers.”
Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project
management, and construction companies in the world. Since its
founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects
in 160 countries on all seven continents. Today, its 58,000
colleagues team with customers, partners, and suppliers on diverse
projects in nearly 40 countries. The company’s corporate
headquarters is in San Francisco.
“Since relocating our global operational headquarters to Reston
in 2011, we have enjoyed immense support from the business
community of Fairfax County and the Commonwealth,” said Bechtel
Chief Executive Officer Bill Dudley. “Reston has proven to be
an ideal location for Bechtel. Conveniently situated between
two airports, it facilitates international and domestic travel,
which is key to our business, provides access to a highly skilled
workforce, and offers an enjoyable work/life environment for our
employees.” Dudley added that the company also considered
Texas and Arizona.
Bechtel was the lead partner of Dulles Transit Partners, the
contractor responsible for building the first phase of the Metro
Silver Line with five stops in Fairfax County: four in Tysons
Corner and one in Reston. The company has been active in community
and civic affairs in the county, with senior leaders serving in key
roles on northern Virginia boards and chambers of commerce.
The FCEDA worked with the Virginia Economic Development
Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe
approved a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to
assist Fairfax County with the project.
The governor also approved $4 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.
Time magazine called Fairfax County “one of the great economic
success stories of our time.” Business growth and innovation helps
Fairfax County fund the nation’s top-rated school system and other
public services that contribute to the quality of life of
residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art
telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through
Washington Dulles International Airport, a vibrant investment
capital community and a highly skilled, well-educated
workforce.
The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The
FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and
connections with county and state government agencies, to help
companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its
headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business
district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in seven important
global business centers: Bangalore, Boston, London, Los Angeles,
Munich, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
FCEDAAlan Fogg, 703-790-0600 (o) or 571-213-5065
(m)afogg@fceda.orgorBechtelCharlene Wheeless,
571-392-3891cwheeles@bechtel.com