[VA] Governor Warner Approves Nation’s Most Sweeping Public/Private Partnership in Technology

by Virginia Governor's Office

Northop Grumman to partner with Virginia to modernize state's information technology infrastructure. — Northrop Grumman to invest nearly $270 million, bring 433 jobs to Southwest and 631 to Chesterfield — RICHMOND & LEBANON, Va. - Governor Mark R. Warner today approved an interim agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation to modernize the state’s information technology infrastructure that will result in a $269.6 million capital investment in the Commonwealth. The ten-year, $2 billion contract will create a partnership that will bring 433 new high-tech jobs to Southwest Virginia and 631 jobs to Chesterfield County. Simultaneous announcements were made today by state officials and Northrop Grumman executives in Russell and Chesterfield counties. "This is a significant step in moving our IT infrastructure into the 21st century so state government can do a better, more cost-effective job serving its citizens,” said Governor Warner at today’s event in the Russell County town of Lebanon. “This partnership will provide high-tech jobs with good salaries, particularly in Southwest Virginia. The costs of not updating and improving our IT systems made this path obvious, and we have worked to make this as smooth a transition as possible for our state employees. I’m proud this partnership will provide an economic boost to an economically distressed region of the Commonwealth." Northrop Grumman’s capital investment will include: A new $22.8 million, 130,000 square foot help desk and backup data center facility in the Russell Regional Business Technology Park at Lebanon in Russell County that will create 433 new jobs. An estimated 90 percent of this labor pool will be drawn from Wise, Russell, Tazewell, Washington, Buchanan and Dickenson counties. Support of technology education at the University of Virginia at Wise, including internships, student recruitment efforts, and a satellite office for the Lebanon facility. A new $34.6 million, 167,000 square foot operations center in Meadowville Technology Park in Chesterfield County that will house 631 Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) and Northrop Grumman employees. A project support in Dinwiddie County housing 34 employees. Provisions for work for small, woman and minority-owned businesses. Career development opportunities for current VITA employees. Northrop Grumman’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Ronald D. Sugar said, “Northrop Grumman is proud to partner with the Commonwealth of Virginia to help modernize Virginia’s information technology infrastructure. As one of Virginia’s largest private employers, we look forward to welcoming the highly skilled and talented VITA workforce and contributing to economic development in Southwest Virginia."