British company is locating first U.S. plant in Southern Virginia

Harlow Group Ltd., an England-based manufacturer, plans to invest $8 million to locate its first U.S. plant in the Cyber Park in Danville. The investment is expected to create 49 jobs. Harlow also will establish a training center focused on additive manufacturing.

The company will initially locate inside the park’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. It then plans to build its own sheet metal fabrication facility – to be named Harlow Fastech- in the park, which is jointly owned by Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Harlow Group was founded in 1975. Its customers include GE, Raytheon Safran and Sony.

Gov. Ralph Northam approved a $147,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission also approved $315,000 in funds.

Harlow Group is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Virginia competed against Alabama for the project.