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Tag: Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Service Center Metals to expand, add 94 jobs

Prince George County-based aluminum extrusions manufacturer Service Center Metals will spend $101.7 million to build two more facilities in the county, projects expected to create 94 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday.

Service Center Metals will build an aluminum extrusion plant and a compact remelt plant in Crosspoint Centre. Aluminum extrusion forces an aluminum alloy through a press to form it into the desired shape.

“Service Center Metals has experienced tremendous success in Prince George County over the past two decades, and an investment of this magnitude is extremely significant for the region,” Northam said in a statement. “The advanced manufacturing sector is strong in Virginia. …We look forward to the expansion of Service Center Metals and its continued success in the Commonwealth.”

Founded in 2002, Service Center Metals began operating in Prince George County in 2003. The company provides aluminum rods, bars, shapes and tubing to metal service centers across the U.S. It has two plants on its 30-acre campus in SouthPoint Business Park: an extrusion plant with two presses and a compact remelt plant that recycles scraps and produces aluminum logs used for extrusion presses. The new facilities will mirror the existing plants in the business park.

“The commonwealth of Virginia and Prince George County have both played significant roles in catapulting Service Center Metals from a Greenfield startup in 2002 into the North American benchmark for safety and productivity today,” Service Center Metals President and CEO Officer Scott Kelley said in a statement. “Our next expansion will be the largest in our history, adding significant capacity to both our billet casting and extrusion operations that will further satisfy our customers’ needs.”

Virginia competed with Tennessee for the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Prince George County to secure the project. Northam approved a $350,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for the county. The company will receive $900,000 from VEDP’s Virginia Investment Performance Grant, which encourages existing Virginia companies to continue investing capital.

Service Center Metals is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and funding and services from the VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides state funding to support employee recruitment and training to companies creating jobs.

The company expanded in 2016.

EarthLink to create 285 jobs in Norton

Atlanta-based internet service provider EarthLink is spending $5.4 million to build a customer support center in Norton, a project expected to create 285 jobs, InvestSWVA and Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday.

As part of moving its customer service operations from overseas to the U.S., EarthLink will build a 30,000-square-foot facility on a site in the 200-acre Project Intersection development, owned by Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, near the northeast junction of U.S. Route 23 and U.S. Highway 58. Wise County is providing temporary office space during construction of the building. EarthLink will be the first tenant at Project Intersection.

“EarthLink’s new support center in Norton will play a major role in bringing the company’s customer service operations to the United States, creating economic opportunity and new jobs for Virginians,” Northam said in a statement. “The rural regions of the commonwealth successfully compete for and attract projects due to their infrastructure, business-friendly operating costs and dedicated and highly-skilled workforce.”

Founded in 1994, EarthLink is a U.S. internet service provider focused on small businesses and homes. The company went public on Nasdaq in 1997.

EarthLink CEO Glenn Goad. Photo by Earl Neikirk/Neikirk Image.

“Having grown up in this area, it gives me great pride to further EarthLink’s efforts to provide award-winning customer experiences through our new sales and service center in Norton,” EarthLink CEO Glenn Goad said in a statement. “We look forward to a long partnership with this community and the employees who will become part of EarthLink.”

Called “Project Homecoming,” the effort to recruit this project began in November 2019. InvestSWVA marketing campaign team members and Virginia legislators Del. Terry Kilgore, Sen. Ben Chafin (prior to his death on Jan. 1, 2021), Sen. Todd Pillion and Del. Israel O’Quinn, along with Duane Miller, the executive director of the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission, and Will Payne, the lead consultant for InvestSWVA, led the process. The team flew to Atlanta to pitch to the EarthLink team and held more than 100 in-person, Zoom and phone meetings over 22 months, according to a news release.

“This announcement is the culmination of a lot of hard work and effort by local and state leaders, the EarthLink team, and many others,” Miller said in a statement. “We are all excited to have a company with an iconic name like EarthLink, who has been consistently honored with the coveted Great Place to Work Certification, locate to Southwest Virginia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Norton, LENOWISCO Planning District Commission, InvestSWVA, the Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to secure the project.

Northam approved a New Company Incentive Program grant of $686,500 from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved a $62,500 Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund grant. EarthLink is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for full-time jobs created. The company will also receive funding and services from the the VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides state funding to support employee recruitment and training to companies creating jobs.

VEDP launches Supply Chain Optimization Program

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership launched its Supply Chain Optimization Program, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday.

The one-year program is designed to help Virginia businesses streamline their supply chain management. Participating businesses could receive a maximum of $10,000 in reimbursements for supply chain-related expenses, including consulting services, connections with experts and training sessions. Companies are eligible to participate if they have at least five full-time employees in Virginia and their operations are located in Virginia.

“Virginia has worked hard to make businesses in the commonwealth stronger, more resilient and more competitive in the global marketplace,” Northam said in a statement. “We’re excited to implement the country’s first official Supply Chain Optimization Program, which will support thousands of businesses and boost international trade. I look forward to seeing this program’s success.”

The program is part of the International Trade Strategic Plan for Virginia that Northam announced in November 2019. The plan set a goal to expand Virginia’s international trade output by nearly 50% before 2035. The General Assembly allocated $1.35 million to implementing the plan in its 2021 session, with $1.1 million going directly to the VEDP.

“A sustainable supply chain is critical to the growth of companies both domestically and abroad,” said VEDP president and CEO Stephen Moret in a statement. “Our Supply Chain Optimization Program will help ensure Virginia businesses have the resources they need to successfully trade with companies around the world.”

The VEDP will hold an introductory webinar on Sept. 14 at 2 p.m.

Prism Maritime LLC to build two Chesapeake facilities

Chesapeake-based government contractor Prism Maritime LLC will invest $4 million to construct two 12,000-square-foot facilities in Chesapeake, creating 166 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday.

The facilities will be used for manufacturing, lab and storage space and will be located in the Greenbrier North Commerce Park.

Founded in 2006, Prism Maritime provides engineering, research, development and other services to military clients. They help integrate technology improvements for land-based and shipboard systems.

“We are very excited about the expansion of our operations in Chesapeake,” Ron Lee, CEO and president of Prism Maritime said in a statement. “This new fabrication facility allows Prism to continue to support the Navy with even more services on our prime contracts, as well as expanding our customer base within the commercial maritime industry.”

Virginia competed with California for the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Chesapeake to secure it. VEDP will support Prism Maritime through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides companies creating jobs with state funding to support employee recruitment and training activities.

“The maritime industry is a key economic force for the Hampton Roads region and the entire commonwealth,” Northam said in a statement. “Prism Maritime’s continued growth is evidence of the high-quality infrastructure and workforce pipeline that helped Virginia earn consecutive titles as CNBC’s best state for business.”

Pennsylvania company to build $11M expansion in Pulaski

The Patton Logistics Group will invest $11 million to expand its trucking, logistics and warehousing operation in the New River Valley Commerce Park in Pulaski County, creating 63 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

The company will add 150,000 square feet to its 250,000-square-foot logistics center. The expansion will include a trucking operations and maintenance center that will provide the infrastructure to support a future investment in electric trucks, according to a news release.

Northam said in a statement, “The Patton Logistics Group has become a significant employer in Pulaski County and the New River Valley since they came to Virginia two years ago. The commonwealth’s extensive infrastructure networks, business-friendly environment and dependable and skilled workforce provide companies like Patton with the tools they need to succeed.”

The Patton Logistics Group is composed of three affiliate companies that employ more than 150 people in Virginia. Watsontown Trucking Co. is a family-owned-and-operated motor carrier founded in 1941 that operates a fleet of 450 trucks and 1,400 trailers. Patton Logistics LLC was organized in 2013 as an affiliated entity of Watsontown Trucking Co. to provide transportation brokerage and third-party logistics services. Formed in 2015, Patton Warehousing LLC currently manages 2.5 million square feet of warehouse space in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Virginia.

“Our major expansion into Pulaski County in 2020 was the result of our confidence in the people of Southwest Virginia to perform various supply chain solutions for our clients at a new logistics center,” Steve Patton, president of The Patton Logistics Group, said in a statement. “That confidence has only grown, and just four months into this endeavor, we have decided to expand.”

Virginia competed with Pennsylvania for the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Pulaski County, Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Facility Authority and Onward New River Valley to secure it Northam approved a $225,000 grant from the state’s Opportunity Fund to assist Pulaski County. Patton Logistics is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides state funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities.

Winchester manufacturer to build $1.25 million plant expansion

Winchester-based Evolve Manufacturing will invest $1.25 million to enlarge its plant in Frederick County, creating 84 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday.

The company will add a second production line, triple its facility space and increase production for its major customers, including Home Depot, according to a news release.

“Evolve … is a key employer in Frederick County, and we are pleased to support the growth of another manufacturer reinvesting in the commonwealth,” Northam said in a statement. “This expansion is further evidence of the Shenandoah Valley’s ability to attract and retain businesses with its infrastructure, workforce and livability.”

Founded in 2013, Evolve Manufacturing is a specialty composite manufacturer that owns the Evolve Stone, Evolve Play and Createk by Evolve Custom companies. The company is expanding the Evolve Stone line, which is an artificial stone that is face nailed — sent perpendicular into material, rather than driven at an angle into the side to hide it.

“Evolve chose Virginia as its home because of its business-friendly environment, access to a diverse workforce, and small business support network,” Evolve CEO Greg Fritz said in a statement. “Virginia is the complete package for doing business.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Frederick County to secure the project and will support the company through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides state funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities.

Norfolk software company to expand, create 37 jobs

A Norfolk-based software company will expand its operation and create 37 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

SVT Robotics, a company that accelerates the deployment of industrial robotics, will invest $101,400 to expand in the Ghent area of Norfolk.

The company will build a lab to house robotic equipment used to demonstrate its proprietary platform capabilities for clients and industrial robotic manufacturers, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Virginia competed against California and Texas for the project.

SVT Robotics launched in 2018 and develops products that expedite and streamline the deployment of industrial robotics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. SVT’s platform allows companies to connect and integrate their systems to any robot or automation in days or weeks instead of months or years. Richmond-based venture capital firm New Richmond Ventures invested in the startup.

“We are thrilled by the ongoing efforts from the commonwealth of Virginia and the city of Norfolk to create an environment that is extremely friendly to tech startups,” A.K. Schultz, CEO and co-founder of SVT Robotics, said in a statement. “The … jobs grant will make it easier for SVT to create tech jobs right here in Virginia. The ability to recruit the best technical talent is the lifeblood of tech companies and we applaud Virginia’s efforts to create strong tailwinds for firms like SVT.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the city of Norfolk and the Hampton Roads Alliance worked together to secure the project and will support the company through the Virginia Jobs Initiative Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating jobs. The program reduces the number of HR costs of new and expanding companies.

“It has been a privilege for our team to work with SVT Robotics and the city of Norfolk and to watch SVT’s tremendous growth from a 757 Accelerate program graduate to a nationally-recognized robotics software developer,” Doug Smith, president and CEO of Hampton Roads Alliance, said in a statement.

Eight Va. companies graduate from VEDP export program

Eight companies became the latest to graduate from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday.

The VALET program helps Virginia companies use international exporting as a growth strategy. During the two-year program, businesses learn international sales plan development services through trainings from international service providers, meetings with potential partners, educational events and market research.

There are currently 48 companies participating in the VALET program. Since VALET’s inception in 2002, 368 Virginia companies have been accepted into the program.

These companies are the latest to graduate:

  • AccuTec Blades Inc., Augusta County
  • Balchem Corp., Alleghany County
  • Cvent Inc., Fairfax County
  • GovSolutions Inc., Virginia Beach
  • Greenberry’s Franchising Corp., Albemarle County
  • NanoSonic Inc., Giles County
  • Paul’s Fan Co., Buchanan County
  • Thomas Automation Management Inc. (TAM Inc.), Carroll County

Virginia exports over $35 billion in goods and services annually, supporting more than 257,000 jobs and generating $2 billion in annual tax revenue, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

VEDP President and CEO Stephen Moret said in a statement, “The VALET program puts participating companies on the fast track to international business growth by connecting them with the necessary tools for successful international sales. … The VALET program has a proven track record of helping Virginia businesses increase export sales, and we look forward to the continued global success of these graduating companies in the coming years, contributing to the commonwealth’s economic growth.”

VEDP’s new board chair is Dewberry COO

Dan Pleasant, chief operating officer for Fairfax-based planning, design and construction company Dewberry, has been named chair of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors.

His two-year term began July 1. The motion to approve Pleasant’s nomination passed unanimously during the 17-member board’s April 29 meeting. Pleasant has served on VEDP’s board for 10 years.

“Today, I am proud to say that the VEDP organization is a high-functioning organization with great leadership,” Pleasant said in a statement. “Additionally, we have a very engaged board of directors that supports VEDP’s leadership and advocates for support of the organization and programs that cover the entire state, including rural Virginia.”

Created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995, VEDP supports the commonwealth’s economic development, with focuses on business recruitment, expansion and international trade.

Richmond snack company investing $16.5M in Henrico facility

Richmond-based specialty snack supplier Red River Foods Group Inc. will invest $16.5 million to establish a warehouse and processing facility in Henrico County, creating 60 jobs, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday.

Virginia competed with Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the project. The center will process tree nuts, seeds and dried fruits and will be built at 2840 Sprouse Drive in eastern Henrico.

“Red River Foods’ significant expansion speaks volumes about the business climate and top-notch talent in Central Virginia,” Northam said in a statement. “Food and beverage processing is Virginia’s second-largest manufacturing sector and one of our fastest-growing industries. Red River Foods has been based in Richmond for 30 years, and the company’s continued success here is another important testament to the commonwealth’s status as the best place to do business.”

Red River Foods supplies more than 350 companies with over 40 products sourced from 30 countries. It has offices on five continents and employs more than 1,000 workers.

Red River Foods CEO Dan Phipps said, “We have called the Richmond region home since my father, Jim Phipps, moved the company from New York City to Virginia in 1991. … Investing in Henrico County is further investment in our value chain. Creating valuable jobs here in our local community is one step further in connecting our farmers to our customers.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Henrico Economic Development Authority to compete for the project. Red River Foods is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The company is also eligible to receive benefits from The Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program, according to the governor’s statement.