- Total employment is more than 660,000 in the Richmond metro area, with 67,000 employed in health and life sciences industries.
- Incentives such as the R&D Expenses Tax Credit support new discoveries.
- The diverse local economy includes a strong chemicals manufacturing base and a growing bioscience industry.
- Big names such as Owens & Minor, Pfizer, McKesson Medical-Surgical, and Anthem thrive in the Richmond area.
- The National Sciences Foundation reports that almost 23,000 doctoral scientists and engineers are employed in Virginia — the eighth largest concentration in the nation.
- The Virginia Biotechnology Research Park is home to over 60 life sciences companies, research institutions and government laboratories employing more than 2,400 scientists, researchers, engineers and technicians.
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral Research – University Extensive and received over $271 million in externally funded research in FY 2016.
- The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in biomedical, chemical, life science, electrical and mechanical engineering.
- VCU’s health sciences schools include Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
- Area community colleges offer occupational and technical training, including customized programs for individual employers.
- The Richmond Region offers the cultural and recreational opportunities of a large city with minimal traffic congestion and an average 25-minute commute.
- The area’s excellent quality of life makes it easy to relocate, attract, and retain top quality professional and technical employees.
