Just a couple of weeks after accusing state officials of undermining Fairfax County’s economic development work, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay found himself cutting a ribbon with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to celebrate an economic development win for the county.
Local and state officials gathered at the Alexandria headquarters of defense contractor Systems Planning & Analysis this afternoon (Thursday) to announce its plans to invest $46.9 million in both the city and Fairfax County.
The plans include an expansion of their Mark Center-adjacent headquarters in Alexandria and expanding operations in Fairfax County. Over the next five years, the project is expected to create 1,200 new jobs in Northern Virginia, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) said.
According to a release:
SPA is expanding its operations in Fairfax County. The company anticipates growth at its existing facility in Chantilly, while actively exploring new locations to accommodate its expanding workforce. Similar to its City of Alexandria investment, SPA will invest significantly in new technology and enhanced facilities, projecting the creation of 714 new jobs in Fairfax County.
While Northern Virginia, and Alexandria in particular, have had a rocky history with Youngkin, regional Democratic leaders said the expansion announcement was a reminder that they are all fundamentally on the same team.
During the event, the elected officials also shared some bipartisan words of reflection in recognition of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon as well as yesterday’s fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
“On 9/11, look what happened in our region,” McKay said. “Our jurisdictions didn’t think about jurisdictional lines, just like we don’t when it comes to economic development. Our jurisdictions stuck together … worked as one team. That’s what we do in Northern Virginia.”
McKay said economic growth in Northern Virginia is a tide that raises all ships.
“While we don’t always agree on every issue, we’re on one team,” he said. “We’re one team that’s focused on growing our economy and growing jobs throughout Virginia and right here in Northern Virginia.”
Youngkin also called the moment a “renewed affirmation” of the need to stick together:
It’s critically important to remember, recognize and reaffirm — the terrible atrocities of yesterday remind us of the same message: my friends, there is no place for political violence. For America to have seemingly in some corners become acceptant of murder is beyond my personal belief that moral decay has spread.
Today, we come together — yes, with solemn words — but also I believe a renewed affirmation of what we need. What we need is togetherness.
Systems Planning & Analysis CEO Richard Sawchak said it was a moment that also made him proud of those working at his company.
“As I look around this room and see a number of our SPA employees with a lot of experience, a lot of education, a lot of certifications, and many of us who have served our country as well,” Sawchak said. “We’re proud of all of those aspects of our workforce.”
Per an FCEDA press release, Youngkin approved $9.2 million in grants to help Fairfax County and Alexandria beat out “multiple states across the nation” in attracting the contractor’s investments.
