Clinical services firm PRA International has just selected Raleigh, North Carolina, for its new, expanded headquarters.

The move will create nearly 500 jobs, and the company has pledged to invest $2.89 million over the next four years.

The company says its current headquarters in Reston, Virginia, is a corporate administrative office with no operational functions.

Terrance J. Bieker, chief executive officer of PRA, notes that the Raleigh area will provide “ready access to a highly qualified talent pool and reduce our infrastructure costs.”

To fuel its planned growth, the company says it will begin aggressive hiring in October and hopes to attract 500 administrative and operations employees.

“North Carolina has one of the fastest-growing workforces in the United States and we are pleased to take advantage of the low employee turnover rate and the quality of life. We believe this move to Raleigh will position us well to achieve our future growth targets,” Bieker said.

He adds that the 37 Virginia-based workers have been invited to move, though some will become home-based and a few others will relocate to the company’s offices in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The company’s decision to relocate was based on a state-funded Job Development Investment Grant that helps lure drug-development services companies.

According to a release from North Carolina Governor Mike Easley, the wages for these new jobs will average more than $75,000 plus benefits — more than double the local county average of $35,672.

“Companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare industries know that they find the knowledge, talent, and skill in North Carolina they need to succeed in the global economy,” said Governor Easley.

PRA outsources and conducts clinical trials for drugs with special emphasis in oncology, central nervous system, allergy and respiratory, and cardiovascular disorders. The company has more than 2,800 employees worldwide.