RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Knauss Snack Food Company will invest $5.7 million in a new processing facility in Henry County. The investment will allow Knauss Snack Food Company to hire 105 employees at the new Patriot Centre facility. Virginia successfully competed with South Carolina for the investment.
“These 105 new food processing jobs will help diversify Henry County’s economy,” said Governor Warner. “This investment is a testament to the hard-working people of Southside. My hope is that other new and diverse employers will want to play a role in the revitalization of this community, and recognize what a great asset its workers are, as Knauss Foods has.”
Since taking office in January, Governor Warner has announced over $120 million in new capital investment and the creation of over 1,800 jobs in Southside, Virginia, a region hit hard by downturns in the textile and furniture industries. The Governor also established Coordinated Economic Relief Centers to assist unemployed residents of Martinsville, Clarksville, and South Boston, providing easy access to a wide array of job search and public and private relief services.
With an existing manufacturing facility in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, Knauss Snack Food Company will greatly expand its production capacity with the addition of the new Henry County plant. Today, Knauss manufacturing plants produce the proprietary Bull and Hannah’s brands of meat snacks and supply some of America’s most prestigious companies with specialty meat snack products. The new 100,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will position the company for continued growth.
“After two years exploring expansion opportunities in various states, we were pleased to discover, with assistance from state and county officials of Virginia, the abundant resources, both in terms of labor and logistics, accessible in Henry County and Martinsville,” said Troy Knauss, President of Knauss Foods. “From the small town atmosphere to the tremendous values and principles of its community, we immediately felt welcomed and knew this was a place we could build, grow, and prosper for years to come. We are proud and excited to be capable of playing a small part in the resurgence and diversification of this area. We look forward to a long and mutually prosperous relationship.”
Governor Warner approved a $180,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Henry County with the project. Additionally, the county obtained $180,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. Knauss Snack Food Company is eligible to receive further tax credits because it is locating in an enterprise zone. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Henry County Office of Commerce assisted Knauss Foods with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services and financing through the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.