Casework Genetics, a new biotechnology company that will provide forensics and help solve crimes, has announced its intent to locate its headquarters and laboratory in Prince William County.
The company has just signed a lease for 8,850 square feet of office space at The Engineering Groupe building in Woodbridge, said Jason Grant, communications manager for the county’s Economic Development Department.
“One of the factors for them [when selecting Woodbridge] was access to their market, to their customer base,” Grant said. “The FBI has forensics on Quantico Marine base. The DEA has a lab also on Quantico base. The state of Virginia has a lab located at Innovation [Technology Park]. And the FBI is at Innovation as well. So you have within Prince William County this sort of sequestering of forensic sciences that come into play.”
Another deciding factor was the workforce, Grant said, and the county’s ability to attract and provide skilled employees with technological backgrounds.
The company was also awarded a $25,000 grant from the Economic Development Opportunity Fund “to be used for workforce services and development and capital equipment purchases,” according to information from Economic Development.
“When we release those monies, we look at the return on investment,” Grant said.
In addition to the $1 million investment, Casework Genetics promises to provide 25 new jobs at an average annual salary of $89,000, according to a press release from Economic Development. The company is scheduled to move into its new offices by Dec. 31.
One new position is already advertised on Casework’s Web site. The company has “an immediate opening for an experienced forensic DNA casework analyst who is also interested in research,” the posting states.
“Casework Genetics’ decision to locate [here] affirms our position as the leading business community for forensic science and life science companies,” said Corey Stewart, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, on a press release.
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.
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