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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Iridium Communications Expands Fairfax County, Virginia, Headquarters Operations

05/26/2025
Satellite communications company Iridium Communications Inc. plans to expand its operations in Fairfax County, Virginia. The more than $13 million project is expected to create 117 jobs.

The investment will include the construction of a new 55,000-square-foot headquarters located at 1676 International Drive.

“Iridium is proud to call Fairfax County home to our headquarters, and we appreciate the ongoing support of our state and local leadership,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “Being based in such a centralized location just outside of our nation’s capital has many business-friendly benefits, from a corporate-friendly operating environment and convenience of two nearby major airports, to top institutions of higher education, a strong technology-focused industry presence, and an excellent local talent pipeline.”

To support the project Governor Youngkin approved a $400,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund. Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) will support?Iridium’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

“For more than two decades, Iridium has helped position Virginia as a global hub for space and satellite technology,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “This latest investment not only demonstrates Iridium’s long-term commitment to Fairfax County, but it also highlights the strength of our regional collaboration and the quality of our tech talent. We’re grateful to our partners at Fairfax County and Virginia Economic Development Partnership for helping make this project a reality.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) on the project.

“We are honored that Iridium has chosen to expand their global headquarters in Fairfax County as we share their ambition to reach farther, move faster and shape what’s next,” added Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of FCEDA. “Iridium’s continued growth is not just a win for our community, it is a defining moment for the future of our region’s growing space economy. This is where visionary companies come to scale because we don’t just support big ideas and innovation, we accelerate them.”

Iridium Communications Inc. provides voice and data services and is known for its network of 80 satellites (66 active). The company offers a range of services, including satellite phones, Internet of Things (IoT) terminals, and mobile connectivity solutions.

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