Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today in response to the Obama administration’s decision to locate the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) at Fort Pickett in Nottoway County, VA:

“I am pleased that the administration has finalized its decision to bring the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center, and the jobs that come with it, here to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This project will create hundreds of jobs in Nottoway County and bring millions in federal investment here to help grow Virginia’s economy. It will also add to Virginia’s considerable national security assets and complement the activities of other related organizations working in the area and across the Commonwealth.

“I was happy to work alongside Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and members from Virginia’s House delegation to convince the State Department and the Office of Management and Budget that Fort Pickett is the best place for the Center. Bringing key economic development projects like this one to areas of the Commonwealth that need them most is my top priority as Governor, and I look forward to working with members of both parties to continue the progress we are making.”

The FASTC will provide hard and soft skills training for U.S. State Department law enforcement and security staff and all foreign affairs employees, especially those assigned to critical and high threat posts. It is expected that the FASTC will provide training for up to 10,000 students per year. The U.S. General Services Administration has indicated that the construction phase of the FASTC will create hundreds of jobs and bring millions in federal investment to Nottoway County and the surrounding area. The Virginia National Guard, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the local government of Nottoway County helped Virginia compete for this project against Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.