Modine will invest $18.1M in Rockbridge County expansion

Modine Manufacturing, a manufacturer of cooling equipment for data centers, will invest $18.1 million to expand its Rockbridge County operation, creating an estimated 211 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday.  

Wisconsin-based Modine, which builds thermal management systems and components, saw $2.3 billion in net sales in fiscal year 2023, a 12% increase over the previous year. The company, which has about 11,000 employees globally, opened its manufacturing facility in Buena Vista in 1963. 

“Modine’s increased production of data center cooling equipment will meet the growing demand of this vital sector in the commonwealth while creating high-quality 21st century jobs,” Youngkin said in a statement.

Rob Bedard, general manager of data centers for North America at Modine, said the company is proud to contribute to the growth of the data center industry in the commonwealth. “This new investment in our Rockbridge plant shows our commitment to support the region and enhances our position to offer a full range of cooling solutions to serve North America data center customers through our Airedale by Modine brand,” he said in a statement. 

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Rockbridge County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project. Youngkin approved a $470,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Rockbridge with the expansion. VEDP’s Virginia Talent Accelerator Program will help Modine with workforce training and recruitment. 

Modine currently employs 75 workers at the Rockbridge County plant and more than 300 workers at the plant in Buena Vista, according to a company spokesperson.