400 New Virginia Jobs Created

Virginia's unemployment rate continued to rise in July, as it climbed to a five-year high. According to the Virginia Employment Commission, 4.4 percent of the state's resident were unable to find work. This made July the second consecutive month that the state's jobless rate increased. As of a year ago, only 3.1 percent of the population was unemployed. Despite this increase, Virginia jobs were easier to come by than employment opportunities in many other states and the state continued to entice new businesses.

Volkswagen Group of America recently opened it's new U.S. corporate headquarters in Herndon, Virginia. Prior to this, the company was centered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. This location will also house the new headquarters for Audi of America. Combined, the two created 400 new Virginia jobs and invested $100 million into the move.

The grand opening was attended by both state and local officials. During the ceremony, the company announced that it will be donating $2.1 million to a variety of different educational institutions in and around the Virginia and Washington D.C region. These funds will be used to supplement resources at George Mason University, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, Northern Virginia Community College, Fairfax County Public Schools and the Excel Institute in Washington, D.C.

"We are happy to have this chance to give something back to our community," said Volkswagen Group of America's CEO and President Stefan Jacoby. "We work here, we live here, and we intend to give her. Our five-year education program is comprehensive and will serve as a catalyst for further educational entrepreneurship. It will help students whether they are in high school, technical school, community college, university or graduate school. With all of these programs, we will train teachers so they can share knowledge on automotive safety and environmental technology."