LEBANON, Va., Dec. 12, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) will announce today their commitment to increasing high-technology career opportunities in the commonwealth with the opening of a new information technology (IT) facility in Lebanon.
The opening of the Southwest Enterprise Solutions Center (SWESC) is part of a landmark public-private infrastructure partnership between the commonwealth of Virginia and Northrop Grumman to modernize the IT infrastructure for state government. VITA is providing oversight of the partnership for the commonwealth.
The new facility will house employees working on the IT Infrastructure Partnership project and Northrop Grumman internal IT operations. Approximately 400 employees, mostly Northrop Grumman workers, will be located at the SWESC. The center has additional capacity for growth.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. EST today at the SWESC, 201 Technology Park Drive, Lebanon, Va.
Guest speakers include Governor Timothy Kaine; former Governor Mark Warner; Senator Phillip Puckett; Commonwealth Chief Information Officer (CIO) Lem Stewart; and James O'Neill, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's IT sector.
"Northrop Grumman, along with our VITA partner, will, through this new facility, enhance business opportunities in this region," said O'Neill. "We are dedicated to creating new jobs in this area for years to come. This new facility reaffirms our commitment to both the commonwealth and the region."
"This is the second of two new data center facilities to be opened in the past 18 months by Northrop Grumman and VITA as part of this innovative partnership," said Stewart. "These new centers will offer an unparalleled infrastructure to help increase commonwealth productivity and improve constituent services. We are transforming the state government's IT infrastructure and offering high-tech jobs that will transform lives."
The facility is approximately 101,000 square feet. Employees who work in the new building will provide core IT services such as enterprise security, network operations management, data backup and recovery, and help desk services.
Through the commonwealth's Return to Roots program, Northrop Grumman is partnering with the community to hire local talent to fill job openings. The company is also supporting local organizations that promote math and science education at all levels.
"It is a Northrop Grumman objective to support this area's math and science education initiatives, as well as other projects that address needs in the community," said O'Neill. "We stand ready to invest further in Virginia's workforce, education system and service organizations."
About the Virginia Information Technologies Agency
VITA is the Commonwealth's consolidated technology services and solutions provider responsible for the operation of the state's technology infrastructure, governance, security and oversight of major IT projects, and procurement of technology-related goods and services on behalf of state and local governments. http://www.vita.virginia.gov.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company with 120,000 employees who provide innovative systems, products and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.