ORBCOMM celebrates new Sterling headquarters

By Sophia Clifton

With a packed crowd of state officials, county leaders, and ORBCOMM employees on hand, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Assistant Director Colleen Curtis of the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura joined CEO Sameer Agrawal to cut the ribbon on ORBCOMM’s new global headquarters in Sterling on Aug. 14.

The move represents a $3 million investment in Loudoun County and is expected to create at least 51 new jobs, according to the governor’s office. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors also approved a $100,000 Commercial Business Incentive Fund cash grant to support the relocation.

Youngkin praised the decision as a show of confidence in Virginia’s economy. “We are celebrating a company that is committing to be in Virginia and to hire,” Youngkin said. “I want to thank you, Sameer, and your entire team for understanding what Virginia has to offer, to give us a chance to bring you to Loudoun County—but most importantly, for trusting us. Because this is a moment of trusting the company’s future, and ORBCOMM has said we believe in Virginia, and so we believe in you.” 

The governor framed ORBCOMM’s move as evidence Virginia’s economic strategy is delivering: “Virginia is proud to welcome ORBCOMM’s global headquarters to Virginia. This decision highlights our commitment to innovation, workforce development, and creating an environment where advanced industries can thrive.” 

Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura echoed Youngkin’s enthusiasm, describing Virginia as a state on the rise. “Virginia is going through a business renaissance under Governor Youngkin’s leadership,” Segura said, pointing to more than 200,000 job openings created in the past few years with “60,000 more coming.”

“Northern Virginia continues to be a magnet for cutting-edge technology and innovation. Their decision to expand operations and invest in a larger office space reflects the strength of our highly skilled workforce and the strategic advantages Virginia offers,” Segura said.

For CEO Sameer Agrawal, the decision to bring ORBCOMM’s headquarters to Sterling was both strategic and personal. “Loudoun County for us was a very obvious choice,” he said. “It is at the heart of technical innovation with the industries we have around us; the talent, the infrastructure, the community support, so thank you.”

He emphasized the role of Loudoun’s workforce and community culture in the company’s decision, even pointing to the county’s Economic Development Department inviting his team to a Loudoun United soccer match as a meaningful gesture that sealed the deal.

Agrawal also explained that one of ORBCOMM’s next big steps is applying its technology toward public safety, including a $500,000 investment to bolster container tracking and combat smuggling. “One of the big things that we’re going to be doing is figuring out how we stop people from putting things like human beings in containers or trucks,” Agrawal explained. “We are doing that. Just this morning, I authorized about half a million dollars of investment in hiring more people into this location to accelerate that.”

Although ORBCOMM has been headquartered in New Jersey in recent years, its roots run deep in Northern Virginia. The company grew out of Dulles-based Orbital Sciences Corp. in the early 1990s, pioneering low Earth orbit satellite messaging to track goods and equipment worldwide using the Internet of Things. 

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices and other items embedded with sensors and software that allows them to collect and exchange data over the internet. Through this connectivity, devices are able to interact, share information, and be monitored or controlled remotely. These devices range from smart home appliances to wearable health trackers, connected cars, and industrial machinery. Today, ORBCOMM connects more than 2.4 million devices across industries ranging from shipping lines to cold-chain trucking fleets.

Colleen Curtis, assistant director of Loudoun County’s Department of Economic Development, said the headquarters move reflects a broader pattern of tech reinvestment in the county. “This shows that Loudoun is a place for innovation, growth, and opportunity,” she said. “Our job is to attract, retain and grow companies of all sizes, shapes, all industries across the country.” 

Youngkin used the ceremony to connect ORBCOMM’s announcement to broader themes of job growth and Virginia’s business-friendly climate. “We now have 270,000 more people working in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” he said. “It’s because Virginia understands what it means to work for you. What that means is that we have to have unbelievable talent, and our education system has to prepare that talent … and most importantly, it has to open up the opportunity to gain that education to everybody.”

“We have never been stronger, never been stronger as a state, and that makes me so proud,” Youngkin said.

For Youngkin, ORBCOMM’s expansion is not just about business— it’s about people and the impact of “incredibly powerful words” on their lives. “I think the most powerful three words are ‘I love you.’ … Right behind them is ‘You are hired.’ It means I respect you. I see you. It means you can add value to our organization, and I want you in that organization, and it means I believe in your future and will help you have a great future,” Youngkin said. “Thank you to ORBCOMM for getting ready to echo those words 51 more times right here in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Local leaders say the arrival of ORBCOMM’s global headquarters is another win for innovation, and a sign that Loudoun is solidifying its reputation as a tech hub and logistics gateway. 

In a press release Buddy Rizer, Executive Director of Loudoun County Economic Development, praised the move. “ORBCOMM’s continued investment in Sterling reinforces Loudoun County’s reputation as a hub for innovation and connectivity. Loudoun is proud to be a place where companies like ORBCOMM can expand with confidence.”

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D – At Large) emphasized the county’s advantages, “We are pleased that ORBCOMM has chosen to grow right here in Loudoun County. Their expansion is a testament to the strong business climate, talented workforce, and unmatched quality of life that makes Loudoun an ideal location for businesses to thrive. We welcome this investment and the jobs it brings to our community.”

Virginia State Senator Kannan Srinivasan (D – District 32) also shared his thoughts.  “I am excited to welcome ORBCOMM’s continued investment and expansion here in Sterling. This project will create new job opportunities for our skilled workforce, and it reinforces Loudoun County’s reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced technology.”

Before the ribbon was cut, Youngkin presented ORBCOMM with a small piece of ceremony—a Commonwealth flag he’d taken down at the State Capitol that morning. “This flag will represent the partnership between Loudoun County, between the Commonwealth of Virginia, in between ORBCOMM,” he told the crowd. “I hope you will find a place to display this prominently … so everyone who comes and goes will see it and know that we are together.”