The $30 billion global defense and technology company plans on locating a National Work Force Center in West Virginia pending final arrangements and site selection. NG is focusing on the I-79 High-Tech Corridor as it assesses current population, infrastructure and operating costs, and educational institutions in the area that will  provide a future skilled workforce.  National Work Force Centers, satellite NG locations, have been established in numerous states throughout the country in low-population areas because they offer a high-tech talent pool, low operating costs and attractive communities for employees. These centers propagated out of NG’s commitment to an on-shore workforce and the future of science and math education.

Locally, they plan on partnering with West Virginia University, Fairmont State University, Wheeling Jesuit University as well as others.

Wes Bush said, “By working together we can help America retain the science and technology leadership that we depend upon for national security, healthy citizens, and a rising standard of living.”  Bush added, “One skill set we’re interested in is biometrics, and West Virginia plays a key role in this area. It’s clear that the North Central Region of the state is the Silicon Valley of America’s biometrics activity. Having spent a lot of time in Silicon Valley, I can assure you this is a poor analogy, because Silicon Valley cannot hold a candle to the beauty of this state!”

NG currently employs about 75 West Virginians. Two of their projects include work with the Department of Defense and the Army developing biometric systems that protect military and civilian employment installation in combat areas worldwide and developing a biometric system that will link the intelligence community with civilian agencies.