Governor Glenn Youngkin approved a $741,600 grant to help Henrico County attract an expansion of EAB, an education data insights provider. On Tuesday, Youngkin’s office announced that EAB, which already has locations in the Richmond area, will consolidate to another area location while adding 206 jobs and investing $6 million.
“EAB has been a committed business partner in Virginia for more than 30 years, and we are thrilled to see its continued expansion and investment in Henrico County,” Youngkin said in a press release. “The firm’s success reinforces the importance of attracting and retaining a skilled workforce that is helping fulfill EAB’s mission to improve education and communities across the country.”
On Monday, EAB announced that it has been named a Top Workplace by both The Washington Post and The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
“EAB is deeply committed to the Richmond area, and we believe our long-term investment will serve Henrico County, the Greater Richmond community, and our growing employee base for many years to come,” EAB Marketing and Enrollment Solutions President Chris Marett said. “We are proud to have been recognized as one of the top workplaces in Richmond for each of the past six years, and providing a more flexible, hybrid workspace will strengthen our ability to attract and retain the local talent we need to continue helping our partner institutions meet the complex challenges facing the education sector.”
Youngkin’s release focused on the expansion from a business development perspective. Spokespeople for EAB and the governor didn’t respond to questions asking if the EAB provides to the Virginia Department of Education, or has links to the administration’s staff or policies.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick said in the release, “EAB is a valuable employer in the Commonwealth, and we are pleased to support its growth and creation of 206 new jobs in Henrico County.”
The announcement also included bipartisan praise from Henrico legislators.
“EAB’s investment and expansion is a welcomed addition to our local economy and a testimony to the value of an effective workforce pipeline that gives businesses like EAB the ability to expand and provide economic opportunity for Henrico and Virginia,” State Senator Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico) said.
“I am thrilled with EAB’s decision to expand in Henrico County by creating 206 new jobs over five years and continuing their significant investment in the region,” said Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), who is a civics teacher. “EAB is a national leader in educational research and has a proven track record of producing results for students from kindergarten to college. EAB is a natural fit for Henrico because of our top-notch schools and diverse community. I want to thank them for their investment and faith in our community and schools.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
