WINCHESTER - Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Rubbermaid Commercial Products will create 250 new jobs through a $45 million capital investment to expand its research and development functions in Winchester. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina and Mexico for the project.
“Rubbermaid is one of the major employers in the Winchester/Frederick County region,” said Governor Warner. “This expansion demonstrates the company’s confidence in the area’s workforce and its ongoing success in Virginia’s positive business climate.”
Rubbermaid Commercial Products, headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, was established in 1967 to manufacture and market products for the commercial and institutional markets. Today, Rubbermaid Commercial Products is a division of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. It continues to develop innovative products and system solutions in the categories of food service, sanitary maintenance, waste handling and material transport.
“Winchester has provided Rubbermaid with a business-friendly environment since 1967 and we are pleased to continue investing in the area,” said Rubbermaid Commercial Products President W. Michael Moorefield. “New products have been a cornerstone for Rubbermaid Commercial Products and a major mechanism for growth. The Winchester community provides a high-quality workforce, a good technology base and an ideal location for distribution and we are excited about this opportunity to expand our R&D efforts."
Governor Warner presented the City of Winchester with a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist with the project. Rubbermaid also qualified to receive a $400,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership, a program available to existing Virginia firms. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the City of Winchester and the Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission assisted the company with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.