Virginia has been one of the prime beneficiaries of the homeland security industry, which has developed largely in response to the 9-11 terrorist attacks. In the five- plus years subsequent to the attacks, the state has welcomed nearly $1.6 billion in development and created more than 40,000 jobs that can be directly attributed to the defense and homeland security industries. Keith Boswell, who oversees security industry recruiting for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, says that while investment is spread around the state, significant clusters have developed in three areas: Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond created what are considered the first undergraduate majors in homeland security and emergency planning in 2004, hiring former U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security official William Parrish to develop the program.
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