Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Loudoun County’s Department of Economic Development announced Aug. 15 that global technology company iGate will be establishing a large facility in Loudoun County.

According to the DED, iGate, which was founded in India, will be leasing space at Center Oak Plaza in Sterling. Their $1.0156 million investment will bring an additional 250 jobs to Loudoun.

iGate currently has offices in London, Tokyo, Bombay, California and Boston and more than 350 Fortune 1000 clients. It is the first integrated technology and operations companyto provide full-spectrum consulting, technology and business process outsourcing, and product and engineering solutions on a Business Outcomes-based model.

Their clients cover a wide range of industries including banking and financial services, insurance and health care, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, distribution and logistics, media, entertainment, leisure and travel, communication, energy and utilities, and independent software vendors.

In his announcement, McDonnell cited Loudoun County’s work environment and an ample amount of skilled workers as the reasoning behind choosing Loudoun.

“iGate’s new operation in Loudoun County will expand the company’s U.S. presence in the Washington D.C. metropolitan market. The Commonwealth was picked over other states considered due to our pro-business environment and proximity to an ample resource of skilled technical workers,” McDonnell said. “We are thrilled to welcome another impressive technology company to Loudoun County and Virginia.”

iGate Chief Delivery Officer Sean Narayanan is in full agreement with the governor on the appealing nature of the business atmosphere and workforce in Loudoun.

“We are very excited to open this new facility in Virginia,” said Narayanan. “We have been impressed with the business and government leaders in Virginia, the high caliber of the workforce, the excellent quality of life, and we look forward to positive, long-term growth and involvement in this area.”

DED Director Tom Flynn noted the proximity to the federal government as an appealing reason for technology companies to locate here.

“Loudoun has become a top location for international businesses looking to access the U.S. market,” said Director of Loudoun County Economic Development Commission Loudoun Tom Flynn. “Our desirable East Coast location provides access to the world’s largest customer, the federal government.”

iGate’s Government Solutions President Timothy Coffin is hoping to capitalize on that proximity to the federal government.

“This facility enhances our ability to deliver top quality, innovative IT solutions to our government customers,” said Coffin. “We are looking forward to building this team of experts to ensure we are supporting our customer’s mission.”

Loudoun County’s proximity to Dulles International Airport also has a profound effect on major companies locating to Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York (R-At Large) pointed out.

“Establishing this facility in Loudoun County, the home of the Washington Dulles International Airport, gives iGate access to 80 percent of the world’s economies – a key advantage to a global organization,” said York. “In addition, with more than 900 federal government contractors located in Loudoun, and with almost 20 percent of the county’s workforce employed by the information and communications technology industry, doing business in Loudoun makes perfect sense for a company like iGate.”

As chairman of the board’s Economic Development Committee, Supervisor Matt Letourneau (R-Dulles) said, “Their decision to establish their East Coast headquarters here is a testament to the excellent work and cooperation between the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, Governor McDonnell, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. We will continue to work together to bring jobs and commercial revenue to Loudoun, and are actively working on several other potential prospects.”

Letourneau also touched on iGate being an Indian company, which is an untapped market for Loudoun County.

“With this being an Indian company, I think that is a market for us that is worth a greater investment in,” Letourneau said. “We have a very significant Indian population in Loudoun County, particularly in my district, and I think there is some natural kind of synergy there when Indian companies are looking to establish a U.S. presence.