Multi-million-dollar investments from T-Mobile, SimpliSafe help Virginia locality win national acclaim

HENRICO, VIRGINIA, July 1, 2021 – Henrico recently was honored with two Silver Shovel awards, Area Development’s annual program that recognizes U.S. locations that attract major investment projects and create substantial new jobs throughout their community. The projects included the relocation of T-Mobile’s Customer Experience Center, which brought $30 million in new investment to the area and will create 500 new jobs, and SimpliSafe’s establishment of a $5.5 million customer support center, which will create 572 new jobs. Henrico’s dual wins helped Virginia to land a Silver Shovel Award in the 8+ to 12 Million Population state category.

“For years, we’ve strategically invested in our data infrastructure and developed skilled talent so that Henrico would be equipped to support the future era of business,” said Anthony Romanello, Executive Director of the Henrico Economic Development Authority. “We’re thrilled that we attracted the attention of innovative leaders like T-Mobile and SimpliSafe in a single year.”

Last year when SimpliSafe’s investment was announced, company CEO Christian Cerda said, “We are proud to now call Virginia and Henrico County our second home…we are excited to partner with the talented, diverse workforce in the Richmond region to continue keeping more and more Americans safe.”

Meanwhile, Callie Field, T-Mobile Executive Vice President of Customer Care, penned a statement saying, “Delivering T-Mobile’s Team of Experts, or TEX, model is all about people taking care of people, so we’re always looking to add rock stars to our workforce.”

To heighten global connectivity for tech giants like T-Mobile, Henrico serves as the termination point for four subsea cables spanning to Spain, Brazil, Puerto Rico, France, and soon South Africa. The cables include Google-owned Dunant, which offers the fastest undersea data speeds on the planet. In addition, Henrico will soon integrate with DE-CIX interchanges in Chicago, New York, and Dallas, which will create the largest neutral interconnection ecosystem in North America – and provide virtually instant connection with the leading IX operator’s more than 2,100 networks and 500 data centers around the world.

In terms of providing a skilled workforce, Henrico has produced nine Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. The location also offers access to a large, diverse labor pool thanks to 30 nearby professional schools, colleges, and universities – two of which are historically Black.

“The jobs we’re able to help create, the businesses we’re able to support…they’re just a couple of the ways we’re ensuring the long-term economic vitality of our area and the happiness of our community,” said Romanello. “There’s something special going on here in Henrico. Companies are learning that we are the place to be to thrive in this new era; I see even greater things ahead for our residents and our businesses.”