Steel Manufacturing Company To Locate In Washington County, Create 80 Jobs
Richmond - Governor George Allen announced today the decision by Southern Engineering to locate a new steel manufacturing plant in Washington County. The new facility will create 80 new jobs with an initial investment of $5 million.
"Southern Engineering's decision to locate in Southwest Virginia is an excellent addition to Virginia's manufacturing industry," said Governor Allen. "This investment is a tribute to our pro-growth economic policies and sends the message that 'Southwest Virginia is open for business.'"
The new facility near Abingdon will be named Southern Engineering/Virginia Rebar and is the company's first expansion in Virginia. Norfolk Southern's rail access to the site also played a key role in the company's decision to locate in Virginia. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Southern Engineering manufactures both concrete reinforcement and structural steel.
"We are a customer-oriented company," said Charles Saleh, president of Southern Engineering. "We chose Virginia because of its tremendous pro-business climate and highly skilled workforce."
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Washington County Industrial Development Authority, and the Mount Rogers Partnership assisted the company with its decision. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will assist with rail access funding, and the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.