American Electric Power Co. creating 102 jobs in Roanoke

         Columbus,Ohio-based American Electric Power Co. (AEP) said Tuesday it is investing $12.7 million to establish a transmission operation in downtown Roanoke. The project is expected to create 102 jobs.

         AEP is modernizing, rebuilding, and expanding electricity transmission lines throughout its service area, which includes 11 states. AEP is the parent company of Appalachian Power, which operates in Virginia and West Virginia.

AEP Transmission will occupy nearly 47,000 square feet on two floors of Appalachian Power’s renovated facility at 40 Franklin Road, SW. In addition to creating new positions, AEP will transfer 93 employees to the downtown facility.

AEP will construct a multi-level parking garage over part of its existing parking area to house vehicles for new employees. Construction and remodeling should be completed and all personnel should be in place by spring 2019.

The AEP Transmission employees will join 200 Appalachian Power employees currently housed in the Franklin Road building.

AEP is a one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of generating capacity. Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power).

VEDP will support AEP’s job creation plans through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP). VJIP provides consultative services and funding to companies creating jobs or experiencing technological change to support employee training. The company also is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.