The Prince William County Department of Economic Development has seen an uptick in capital investment, which will bring $513 million dollars and hundreds of jobs to the county.
The department, which has been running for eighteen years, has brought in private capital investments mainly in the life science and information technology industry. The county has secured nineteen projects and will see the addition of four hundred and sixty-nine new jobs, and more than one hundred jobs retained in the area.
“Prince William County continues to experience significant private capital investment in our targeted markets. As a result, we are further solidifying our position as a top destination in the Greater Washington, DC metropolitan area for the Life Sciences and Information Technology industries,” said Corey Stewart, Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, in a press release.
Along with these capital improvement projects, the county now houses the brand new Prince William Science Accelerator. This facility is unique, as it is the only public-private wet lab in the Northern Virginia area. This lab will allow for several companies to potentially move into the county, bringing in more jobs and industry.
At the Prince William George Mason University campus, the Economic Development Department helped to get the Virginia Serious Game Institute up and running. The Institute will help growing start-up companies in the tech industries, including video game design.
This concentration on business development in the area of life science and technology is a calculated move for the future of the county. As these industries are growing and will need space and employees to create their products and services.
“By concentrating in Life Sciences and Information Technology we are creating growth opportunities that can open up new markets and new types of business opportunities, influencing other technology sectors and the region, as a whole,” said Jeff Kaczmarek, Executive Director, Prince William County Department of Economic Development, in a press release.
More on the nineteen projects from the department, from a press release:
2014 Projects
Potomac EScrap, buys and recycles computers and electronics emphasizing the security of data stored on disposed equipment, recently moved into new space close to their old location. Capital Investment of $0.64 million and 2 new jobs.
Elvaria, a leading manufacturer of frozen yogurt and soft-serve ice cream machines, relocated its operations to Prince William County. Capital Investment $1.95 million and 13 new jobs.
George Mason University Potomac Science Center. The center is to support the study of the watershed of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Capital Investment $30 million and 20 new jobs.
The Virginia Serious Game Institute, a public-private partnership for IT start-ups and entrepreneurs in the fields of simulation, modelling and serious game design, based in George Mason University – Prince William Campus. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony March 27, 2014.
The Prince William Science Accelerator, Northern Virginia’s only public-private commercially available Wet Labs space, opened in June 2014.
ISOThrive, the first tenant to locate in Prince William Science Accelerator.
QBE, a leading management and technology consulting organization for the federal government and defense community, located its new headquarter offices in the former PACE West School building in Gainesville, Va. Capital investment $1.2 million 30 jobs.
Federal Facility. Capital Investment $5.4 million and 50 new jobs.
ZTech Solutions, Federal Contractor. 2 new jobs.
Shibuya Hoppmann Corporate Headquarters & Automation Systems Equipment. Capital investment $2.2M and 20 new jobs.
Elite Shooting Sports LLC, one of the nation’s largest and most advanced indoor shooting ranges opened in November 2014. Capital investment $14 million and 50 new jobs.
