Microsoft To Open R&D Center At Reston Town Center

RESTON, VA — The Microsoft Corp. will invest $64 million to create a new software development and R&D regional hub in the heart of Reston, according to a release from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.

Microsoft is going to open its new 400,000-square-foot facility in the Reston Town Center, bringing 1,500 new jobs to Fairfax County. The company anticipates opening the center in summer 2021.

“Virginia, like the rest of the nation, is facing unprecedented job loss due to COVID-19, so this announcement couldn’t come at a better time,” Northam said, in the release. “Microsoft Corp. and Virginia share a strong history, and we are proud that this major operation in Fairfax County will add to the company’s significant job count across our Commonwealth. Virginia is a leader in the information technology industry, and Microsoft’s continued investment here is a testament to our top-ranked business climate, infrastructure, and world-class workforce.”

Microsoft already has corporate locations in Reston, the Richmond area, and Mecklenburg County in Virginia.

“One of Microsoft’s core principles is actively listening to our customers, so we can build and improve our technology based on their feedback. Being close to our customer base is extremely important to our ongoing collaborations,” said Terrell Cox, general manager at Microsoft, in the release. “We’ve had a presence in Reston for many years now, and this expansion will allow Microsoft to deliver even more solutions from a region known for its innovation and passion for technology.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and the General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission, teamed up to secure the project for Virginia. Thanks to the project, Microsoft would be eligible to receive a $22.5 million MEI custom performance grant post-performance, provided it's approved by the Virginia General Assembly.

“Microsoft can choose from any number of technology hubs for its operations, and we are so pleased that the company chose to expand its operations in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said in the release. “Because of our wealth of technology talent and the tech ecosystem here, this area is a great match for the company’s talent needs as well as its business goals.”

Reston's state lawmakers praised the announcement. Sen. Janet Howell (D) and Del. Ken Plum (D) welcomed the company to the Town Center and acknowledged the significance of bringing 1,500 new jobs to Fairfax County.

"The Commonwealth and the County have a longstanding relationship with Microsoft, and this operation will only strengthen it," Plum said, in the release. "We look forward to welcoming the software development and R&D regional hub to the Reston Town Center.”