It was a cool, overcast Thursday morning in August, and Congressman Frank R. Wolf (R-10th) spoke about what it's like being in Northern Virginia.
"It's a good place to live and a good place to work. We are even next to the seventh fastest growing airport in the world," Wolf said, referring to Dulles Airport.
A speech by Wolf was one of the highlights of a groundbreaking ceremony held by Northrop Grumman that marked the beginning of construction on a new information technology building for Northrop Grumman's TASC business unit.
Sidney E. Fuchs, president of Northrop Grumman's IT TASC business unit, was one of the first to break ground at the site.
"We're very proud of the work we've done as a company, especially in support of our community and our customers," Fuchs said, keeping open the possibility of future growth. "Given the growth we've had in the past, potential growth is definitely on the path."
The TASC unit currently employs about 1,660 employees in Chantilly, and the new facility will have new conference and training facilities, an auditorium and an employee fitness center.
Guests had refreshments under a large outdoor canopy in case of rain, with a smaller patch of soil where ground could be broken.
"We kept watching weather.com on a constant basis to see if it would rain. At least it's not hot," Fuchs said.
Northrop Grumman and its TASC unit have partnerships with Westfield High School, London Towne Elementary School and Stone Middle School.
The new building will be located within Northrop Grumman's campus on Stonecroft Boulevard in Chantilly.