Conflicting Reports About Northrop HQ

Governor Bob McDonnell’s office has confirmed that Northrop Grumman will be moving its headquarters from Los Angeles to Northern Virginia. Just where in Northern Virginia is another question.

The Associated Press is reporting that the site will either be in Fairfax County near Dulles Airport or in Crystal City.

The Los Angeles Times says that the company will move to “the Falls Church area.”

Yesterday, the Washington Business Journal said the choice was between Ballston, Falls Church and Alexandria.

The company, meanwhile has released a statement saying it is  in negotiations with building owners in Falls Church and Arlington.

Northrop Grumman is currently conducting negotiations with several building owners in the Falls Church/Arlington area, with a specific building selection to be announced soon. The company expects to initiate operations in the new corporate office in summer of 2011 with approximately 300 people. Northrop Grumman currently employs approximately 40,000 people in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. and is the largest industrial employer in both states.

Based on that statement, it would seem that Rep. Jim Moran’s personal call to Northrop CEO Wes Bush worked, since Arlington and Falls Church are within Moran’s congressional district.

Gov. McDonnell will formally announce Northrop’s selection of Virginia during a press conference at the company’s Rosslyn offices at 2:00 this afternoon.