FAIRFAX, VA-After a yearlong decision-making process, ICF International has decided to keep its headquarters in its current building at 9300 Lee Highway here, and also expand by 100,000 square feet to accommodate its growing space needs. The company has already taken over an additional 50,000 square feet and will expand into the remainder when it becomes available over the course of a year.

Before its expansion, the company was occupying 300,000 square feet in the 400,000-square-foot building that is owned by Foulger-Pratt. Jones Lang LaSalle Greg Lubar represented ICF in the transaction.

The company will also be spending $20 million to improve and re-equip the headquarters building. Originally, the company evaluated several other buildings in the DC area, Terrance McGovern, senior vice president of finance and treasury, tells GlobeSt.com, including one building in the District. It quickly narrowed its search with the requirement that the building be located next to a metro stop for its commuting employees. The property is next to the Vienna Metro Stop on the Orange Line.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to keep the company in the state. Virginia has provided up to $1 million through incentives programs to keep ICF in Fairfax County. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The company is also eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit.

Next up, ICF will reevaluate its Maryland footprint. The company currently occupies four buildings in the suburban areas of Washington and the leases are set to expire next year. Here, though, the likelihood is good that the company will opt for a consolidation, McGovern says.