(The Center Square) – Virginia is providing more than $18 million in state-funded incentives to support L3Harris Technologies’ expansion in Orange County, part of a project that has developed over several years.
Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced the latest phase of the expansion, which includes more than $1 billion in private investment and is expected to create more than 350 jobs.
In a statement, Spanberger said the investment strengthens Virginia’s position in advanced manufacturing and national defense, pointing to the company’s role in supporting military readiness and economic growth in the region.
“With a strong workforce and established base in defense and advanced manufacturing, Virginia is positioned to support the hundreds of new jobs coming to Orange County,” Spanberger said.
State incentives include $12.5 million and $500,000 from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, along with a $5 million performance-based grant through the Virginia Investment Performance Grant program. Workforce training support will also be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
Those programs are funded through state economic development resources backed by taxpayers.
The expansion builds on earlier phases of the project. In 2024, former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a $41.2 million investment tied to the site that was expected to create about 80 jobs. The latest phase represents a significant increase in investment compared to earlier plans.
Company officials said the expansion will allow L3Harris to increase production capacity and support growing demand tied to defense and technology contracts.
The project was supported through a partnership between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Orange County, and the Central Virginia Partnership, along with approval from the General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission.
Spanberger’s husband works for L3Harris, according to publicly available information. The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from her about the connection.
