Modine announces $19.6M Buena Vista expansion

Modine, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of heating, cooling, and ventilation solutions, will invest $19.6 million through 2029 in planned capital expenditures to expand its operation in Buena Vista, creating 57 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday.

As part of the expansion, Modine will move the headquarters of its heating division from Wisconsin to Buena Vista, where the company has operated a manufacturing facility since 1963. Modine’s heating business manufactures energy-efficient gas-fired, electric, hydronic and oil-fired heating systems for commercial, industrial and residential spaces.

“Modine’s decision to relocate their heating division to Virginia is a powerful testament to what is possible when we foster an environment where businesses and families can thrive,” Youngkin said in a news release.

The investment will fund construction of a facility that will include warehouse, office and testing space. It will also cover new machinery and equipment transfers to support growth in Modine’s heating business.

“Modine is proud of our long partnership with the City of Buena Vista, having operated our manufacturing facility here for more than 60 years,” Matt Niebur, general manager of Modine Heating, stated in a news release. “We are excited to build on that legacy with this new investment in our operations and testing facilities.”

In March 2024, Youngkin announced Modine planned to invest $18.1 million to increase capacity for the production of data center cooling equipment at the company’s Rockbridge County operation, creating 211 jobs.

Modine did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

At the end of October, Modine reported net sales of $738.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, a 12% increase year-over-year. The company has more than 11,000 employees globally. As of March 2024, Modine employed 75 workers in Rockbridge County and more than 300 in Buena Vista.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Buena Vista and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure this project for Virginia. Youngkin approved a $300,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Rockbridge County with the project.

Modine will also receive support from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs.