Metal fabricator to add 22 jobs in Buchanan

Buchanan County-based metal fabrication company Skyline Fabricating Inc. will spend more than $675,000 to build a 25,000-square-foot production facility in the county’s Southern Gap area, creating 22 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday.

The facility will help Skyline Fabricating meet increased demand for steel and aluminum fabricated products and its expanded customer base outside Virginia.

“Manufacturers like Skyline Fabricating recognize that Virginia is a great place to expand a business,” Northam said in a statement. “It’s great news when a company that starts in Virginia continues to grow here. Skyline has been a great partner for Buchanan County and Southwest Virginia, and we appreciate their new investment.”

Founded in 2016, Skyline Fabricating specializes in bridge, walkway and handrail construction and provides aluminum fabrication, mobile welding and plasma cutting. The company has customers in the energy, structural and equipment production industries.

“Skyline Fabricating is excited to expand our operations to the Southern Gap site in Buchanan County,” Skyline Fabricating President Kenneth W. Horne said in a statement. “The developing infrastructure will broaden our markets in the fabricating and manufacturing industries. We look forward to creating additional jobs from the talented and experienced workforce in this area.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Buchanan County, the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to secure the project. VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide funding to support employee recruitment and training activities.

The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority provided a $538,030 loan to the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority for site development and construction. Skyline Fabricating will lease-purchase the building from the county IDA.