Maryland, Virginia governors pitch their states as site for Northrop headquarters

Maryland and Virginia officials are keeping their incentives close to the vest. But the D.C. Council has introduced legislation that would provide Northrop Grumman a property tax abatement not to exceed $1.9 million a year and $5.5 million to help with relocation costs. The legislation also identifies a potential site for the company -- a lot at Sixth and E streets SW. City officials said two office buildings on K Street NW also are on the table.

"We know certain jurisdictions have X on the table. [Northrop Grumman] won't come if we don't match it," said Brown, the council member. "We want to offer a competitive package to entice them."

In Virginia, McDonnell and company chief executive Bush spent about an hour talking in the state Capitol.

Two sources with knowledge of Northrop Grumman's site-selection process told The Post last week that company executives are looking at a June 2011 move-in date to an existing facility for about 150 employees. Four sites in Fairfax County and one in Arlington County are being considered, the sources said.

Northrop Grumman spokesman Randy Belote said last week that a decision had not been made, saying the company had yet to receive formal proposals from officials in any of the three jurisdictions.

Staff writer Anita Kumar contributed to this report.