Bechtel to Expand Reston HQ, Add 700 Jobs Here

Bechtel Corporation will expand its Reston headquarters, a move that is expected to create 700 jobs here.

Bechtel relocated its global operations headquarters to Reston from Frederick, Md., in 2011, and more jobs were moved here last fall despite Maryland’s efforts to get them to remain.

The engineering, construction and project management company will invest $10 million for the relocation, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Wednesday.

“Bechtel Corporation relocated its Global Operations headquarters from Maryland to Fairfax County in 2011, and continues to thrive in our first-rate business climate,” McAullife said in a statement.

“Today’s announcement further solidifies the company’s commitment to Virginia, and we are thrilled to see the operation grow and create high-value, diverse jobs. Ensuring that our corporate partners succeed and bring jobs of this caliber is critical for building a new Virginia economy, and Bechtel is an important part of our efforts.”

Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Today, it has 58,000 colleagues that team with customers, partners and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 40 countries. The company’s corporate headquarters is in San Francisco.

Bechtel Chief Executive Officer Bill Dudley said Reston has been “ideal location” for the company. The company, currently located in offices at 12011 Sunset Hills Rd., plans to lease another 175,000 square feet of office space, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (EDA)  says.

“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 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 said Reston was chosen over Texas and Arizona.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Fairfax County EDA 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.

“This is the second time in less than four years that we have had the pleasure of announcing Bechtel’s job growth, which speaks volumes about the confidence the company has in Fairfax County as a business location,” Gerald L. Gordon, President and CEO of the Fairfax County EDA said. “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 was the lead partner of Dulles Transit Partners, the contractor responsible for building the first phase of the Metro Silver Line.