Washington, DC – The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, a U.S. Department of Energy nuclear physics research laboratory, generates more than $271 million in economic output and 2,200 jobs in the Commonwealth of Virginia, according to an economic impact study just completed for Jefferson Science Associates, LLC.
Located in Newport News, VA, Jefferson Lab is a world-leading nuclear physics research facility. It employs more than 700 full-time employees and is used by more than 1,300 scientists from around the world to conduct cutting-edge nuclear physics research. The lab is managed and operated by Jefferson Science Associates.
The lab is currently constructing a $310 million upgrade to its particle accelerator, which includes the construction of a new experimental hall. Jefferson Lab is also constructing a new $72 million technology and engineering facility that will enable the lab to continue leading the world in the development and processing of superconducting radiofrequency technologies.
Because of this construction activity and its research program, Jefferson Lab's impact on Virginia's economy is considerable. In fact since 2008, when the last economic impact study of the lab was completed, the number of jobs generated in Virginia has increased 29 percent. In the 2008 study, Jefferson Lab was shown to generate 1,701 jobs and $150.6 million in economic output.
"As someone from one of the DOE national labs, the findings of this study are gratifying. We believe that the research that we conduct at Jefferson Lab, and the other national labs, fuels our nation's economic engine, creating jobs and opportunities, while expanding our knowledge of the universe," said Hugh Montgomery, Director of Jefferson Lab and JSA President. "Also important are the practical applications that result from the national labs, which help to make our lives safer and healthier. We are pleased that this is confirmed; Jefferson Lab is proud to contribute to the well being of our nation, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Hampton Roads region."
In the Hampton Roads area, the lab generates $164 million in economic output and 1,239 jobs. Nationally, the lab provides $760 million in economic output and 4,734 jobs.
"A significant factor to JLab's growth and success is our partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, which invests significant funds to keep our scientific advancement squarely in focus," said Jerry P. Draayer, President & CEO of the Southeastern Universities Research Association – the majority and administrative partner of JSA. The Commonwealth appropriated over $1 million last year "to support faculty positions and industry-led research that will promote economic development." Additionally, the state provided a total of $9 million from 2009-10 to support the 12 GeV project specifically.
The economic impact is an analytic process that takes direct spending by the lab and combines it with estimates of indirect economic effects resulting from direct spending by the lab, according to The Wessex Group LTD, a Williamsburg market research firm that conducted the study. The report summary noted the lab "is a huge economic engine for the local community, the Commonwealth and the nation." JSA commissioned the study through its Initiatives Fund Program, which the owners established "to support programs, initiatives, and activities that further the scientific outreach, and promote the science, education and technology missions of Jefferson Lab."
The DOE awarded JSA a five-year contract to manage and operate the lab in April 2006 with the ability to earn up to an additional 15 years based on satisfactory performance. In July 2010, the contract term was extended through May 2015. SURA was originally awarded the contract to design the lab in 1983 and operated the lab for DOE following its completion. JSA was created by SURA and Computer Sciences Corporation/Applied Technology Group specifically to manage and operate Jefferson Lab.
A copy of the study is available on the JSA and SURA website: http://www.jsallc.org/news/EconImpact2011.pdf
The 2008 study can be found at: http://www.sura.org/programs/docs/EconImpact08.pdf
The Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) is a consortium of over 60 leading research institutions in the southern United States and the District of Columbia established in 1980 as a non-stock, nonprofit corporation. SURA serves as an entity through which colleges, universities, and other organizations may cooperate with one another, and with government and industry in acquiring, developing, and using laboratories and other research facilities and in furthering knowledge and the application of that knowledge in the physical, biological, and other natural sciences and engineering. For more information, visit www.sura.org.
Founded in 1959, Computer Sciences Corporation is a leading global information technology (IT) services company. CSC's mission is to provide customers in industry and government with solutions crafted to meet their specific challenges and enable them to profit from the advanced use of technology. With approximately 80,000 employees supporting continuing operations, CSC provides innovative solutions for customers around the world by applying leading technologies and CSC's own advanced capabilities. These include systems design and integration; IT and business process outsourcing; applications software development; Web and application hosting; and management consulting. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., CSC reported revenue of $16.1 billion for the 12 months ended Oct. 31, 2010. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.csc.com.