BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Several colleges and universities in Virginia will receive millions of dollars from the state to increase computer science graduate numbers as part of a deal with Amazon.
Gov. Ralph Northam told The Roanoke Times on Thursday that the state will partner with 11 schools for the Tech Talent Investment Program. The program was part of Virginia's efforts to entice Amazon to build its second headquarters in Arlington.
Virginia Tech will receive $545 million. The school is expected to produce about 5,900 undergraduates and almost 10,300 graduate students with degrees in or related to computer science.
Tech's forthcoming Innovation Campus was an essential part of Virginia winning the bid for the online retailer's second headquarters. The company pledged to create 40,000 high paying jobs in exchange for $750 million in state tax incentives.