Governor Gilmore announces furniture company to invest $12.5 million
Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Ethan Allen has commenced operations in Pulaski County. The company has acquired the former Pulaski Furniture plant and is preserving the jobs of the 376 people working there at the time of acquisition. In addition to saving these jobs, Ethan Allen will also create approximately 70 new jobs for the people of Southwest Virginia and invest $12.5 million. Ethan Allen went forward with this project and decided not to pursue an expansion opportunity in another competing state.
"I am very pleased with Ethan Allen's decision to locate in Virginia," said Governor Gilmore. "It is important to my administration to help displaced workers and to do our best to increase employment opportunities. This project is of special importance as it will save 376 jobs in the New River Valley."
Governor Gilmore approved a $100,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Pulaski County with site preparation. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance and Pulaski County assisted Ethan Allen with its decision. The company will also be eligible for further tax credits because it is locating in an Enterprise Zone.
Ethan Allen is an international home furnishings company with three saw mills and 21 manufacturing facilities in the United States. There are more than 300 Ethan Allen stores located in North and South America, the Middle East and Asia.
"We're pleased to begin production of our case good products in the Dublin facility, so that we can better service our customers all over the world," said Farooq Kathwari, Chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen Inc. "One of the main reasons we selected the Dublin, Virginia plant was because of the highly-skilled and motivated workforce that was available to us," added Kathwari.
"Ethan Allen's facility will benefit the people of Southwest Virginia while also maintaining Virginia's presence in the furniture making industry," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal.