Governor Ralph Northam announced that MAG Aerospace, the leading independent provider of manned/unmanned full-spectrum outsourced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) services, will invest $5.5 million to relocate and expand its corporate headquarters in Fairfax County. The company’s new headquarters facility, which officially opened August 20th, is located at 12730 Fair Lakes Circle in Fairfax. Virginia successfully competed against Alabama and North Carolina for the project, which will create 120 new jobs.
“Virginia is taking unmanned aerial systems to new heights because of our unique combination of research and development assets, acclaimed universities and industry training programs, and skilled talent pipeline,”said Governor Northam. “This rapidly-growing sector presents enormous economic opportunity for the Commonwealth, and we are pleased that this industry leader has chosen to remain and grow in Northern Virginia.”
MAG Aerospace provides and enables real-time situational awareness to help customers make the world smaller and safer. The company operates more than 200 manned and unmanned special mission aircraft for approximately 100,000 flight hours on six continents annually. MAG’s world-class, tactical-technical-intelligence experts flawlessly execute manned and unmanned ISR operations, training, and technical services, as well as chartered fixed and rotary wing operations, for federal, international, civilian, and commercial customers worldwide.
“MAG Aerospace has grown tremendously since it began operations in 2010, and the company’s services play a key role in providing real-time situational awareness to our military and other government agencies,”said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “The success of the Commonwealth’s aerospace industry dates back to the early 1900s, and the company’s decision to reinvest in Northern Virginia is a great testament to our workforce, strategic Mid-Atlantic location, and competitive business climate. We are proud that MAG Aerospace will continue to call Virginia home.”
“MAG’s vision of making the world smaller and safer is only achievable through the dedication and talent of men and women who serve all around the world assisting our customers,” said MAG CEO Joe Fluet. “Virginia’s business-friendly environment made the Commonwealth an easy choice as MAG has grown. Virginia has been home to MAG since its founding and our employees are proud to call the Commonwealth home.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the project. The company will be eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit, and funding and services to support MAG Aerospace’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP).
MAG Aerospace is a 2016 graduate of VEDP’s award-winning Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) Program. VALET is an application-based, two-year international export acceleration program. The company received the 2016 Commonwealth of Virginia Governor’s Award for Excellence in International Trade.
“Aviation and aerospace companies have represented one of Fairfax County’s strongest industry sectors, and we are delighted to welcome MAG Aerospace to that roster,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “This has been a strong cluster because of the county’s skilled workforce and proximity to important customers in the public and private sectors, and MAG is enhancing our visibility in that sector even further.”
“Under Governor Terry McAuliffe and now Governor Ralph Northam, Virginia has picked up the pace of economic growth. Revenue collections are up and Virginia can make the necessary investments that will make our economy even stronger,” said Senator David Marsden.
“In just eight short years since the company was founded, MAG Aerospace has become the leading independent provider of manned and unmanned ISR services with active presence around the globe,” said Delegate Mark Keam. “I applaud Joe Fluet’s visionary leadership and his decision to expand the company’s base in the Commonwealth. MAG Aerospace’s success is another example of Virginia being THE place where cutting-edge innovative technologies thrive, and good jobs of the future are being created every day.”