Today, it was announced that Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is moving its corporate headquarters from San Diego to its campus in McLean. SAIC is planning to invest $25 million for the relocation, and the move is expected to create 1, 200 new jobs. SAIC currently employs approximately 17, 500 people in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. The move makes sense from a logistical standpoint, as the relocation will put the company’s leadership team in close proximity to its customers in the federal government.
“This move will formally relocate the corporate executive leadership team closer to our federal government customers enabling us to better respond quickly and efficiently to their critical needs, while maintaining a significant presence in San Diego, ” said SAIC CEO Walt Havenstein.
The state, and more specifically Fairfax County (in which McLean is located), pitched in to ensure that SAIC moved forward with the relocation. Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine approved a $1.5 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the project. Governor Kaine also approved $7 million in funds from the Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant (VEDIG). And the Virginia Department of Business Assistance is going to provide training and training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“As one of the largest employers in Northern Virginia, SAIC already has a significant, positive impact on communities in the Commonwealth, ” said Governor Kaine. “By expanding its investment in McLean, SAIC not only joins a growing list of FORTUNE 500(R) companies who call the Commonwealth home — it confirms Virginia’s status as the ‘Best State for Business in America.'”
