Arlington cybersecurity firm to move headquarters to Stafford County

GRIMM’s expansion expected to create 23 jobs.

Published February 13, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Arlington-based cybersecurity engineering and consulting firm GRIMM (SMFS Inc.) will invest $435,000 to establish its corporate headquarters in Stafford County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The expansion is expected to create 23 jobs.

GRIMM provides products and services including cybersecurity tools, sensors, analytics, frameworks, automated testing and consulting. 

“Strong cybersecurity defenses are increasingly important to the stability of our economy and our democracy,” Northam said in a statement. “Stafford County’s highly trained workforce and proximity to the nation’s capital make it attractive to growing technology businesses.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Stafford County and the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance at the University of Mary Washington to secure the project. GRIMM will create jobs through the state-funded Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), which provides companies with support for employee recruitment and training. 

“Tech talent was a major driver in GRIMM’s decision to expand in Stafford County and build on its customer base in the fast-growing Fredericksburg region,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball said in a statement. “Virginia is at the forefront of workforce development in the cybersecurity industry, helping impressive firms like GRIMM thrive.”

GRIMM was founded in 2013 and announced its second location in Sparta, Michigan, in 2019. The company received a similar grant from the Michigan government and received funding for a similar recruiting and training program.