Simmons Equipment announces $8.5M expansion into Russell County

Simmons Equipment, a specialty mining equipment manufacturer based in Tazewell County, plans to expand into neighboring Russell County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday.

The company expects to invest $8.5 million into converting two buildings in Lebanon, an investment set to create 75 jobs, the governor’s office said. Founded in Tazewell in 2005, Simmons produces soft rock mining equipment, including scoops, haulers and longwall support vehicles. According to the news release, the expansion will allow the company to grow its product line. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Russell County and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to secure the project, which Virginia competed with Tennessee and West Virginia to land.

Simmons plans to also retain its Tazewell facilities, the governor’s announcement said. Youngkin approved a $270,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for Russell County, and VCEDA approved a $187,500 to the company for workforce development and a $500,000 loan to the county’s industrial development authority for facility improvements. Simmons is also eligible to receive incentives from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for full-time jobs created.

The new locations in Lebanon will be at 219 Joe Gillespie Drive, the former Polycap facility, and 200 Haber Drive, and the company plans to move in phases over the next two quarters of the year, a spokesman said. Simmons currently employs 107 people in Tazewell.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our operations into Russell County,” President and CEO Matt Simmons said in a statement. “Our business has been growing into new markets worldwide, and this additional manufacturing capacity will allow us to aggressively pursue those opportunities. After an extensive search, we are excited to continue our growth here in Southwest Virginia. We were highly impressed with the efforts of the Russell County Industrial Development Authority, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and the Commonwealth of Virginia to support us in this exciting endeavor. We look forward to being part of the growing business community in Russell County.”