HERNDON, VA—Virginia's effort to convince Melbourne, FL-based defense contractor Harris Corp. to move here have yielded only partial success. The company announced on Friday that it would locate its new critical networks segment in Herndon, but will not move its corporate headquarters from the State of Florida.

Harris conducted a search for its corporate headquarters space after its $4.75-billion acquisition of Exelis Inc. earlier this year. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe had attempted to convince Harris to shift its headquarters from Florida to Virginia.

But on Friday the Commonwealth learned its was for naught, or at last partially so: Harris announced that it would maintain its corporate headquarters in Melbourne, FL, where it has been since 1978. The company currently about 6,000 employees in Florida, including 3,200 engineers and scientists, and is the only top 10 defense contractor headquartered in the state.

It is basing a new critical networks segment at an undisclosed location in Herndon, VA, however.

The unit will provide managed services supporting air traffic management, energy and maritime communications, and ground network operation and sustainment, as well as high-value IT and engineering services. Harris currently employs about 3,000 workers in Virginia.

Harris has also showed New York some love: Another newly formed unit -- a communication systems segment -- will be based in Rochester, NY. This division combines the former Harris RF communications and Exelis night vision and communications solutions businesses. Harris has operated in Rochester for more than 55 years and has approximately 4,000 employees in New York.

Instant Insights /

Harris Won't Move Its Headquarters to Virginia

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