Indian company establishing manufacturing operation in Wise County

An Indian manufacturer of conveyor belts has chosen to locate its first manufacturing operation in Wise County.

Dhiyo House Inc. will invest $6.1 million in the operation, which is expected to create 80 jobs in Southwest Virginia.

The company has been in the United States since 2008, selling conveyor belts made in India. The expansion will establish a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the Wise County Industrial Park to produce belting in the U.S. and expand production with additional products.

Dhiyo House’s owner, Deepa Luthra, said in a statement that the company chose Virginia because of its location and support from the coal industry and local government.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $645,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company also is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program. Funding, and services to support Dhiyo House’s employee training will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Virginia competed against Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee for the project.