MECKLENBURG COUNTY - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Sherwood Brands will expand its candy confection operations in Mecklenburg County. The company will create 275 new jobs at its Chase City facility through a $2.7million investment. Virginia successfully competed with Massachusetts for the project. Governor Warner and Virginia Secretary of Commerce & Trade Michael J. Schewel attended this afternoon’s announcement event.
Over a 24 hour period, Governor Warner will make six economic development announcements across Southside and Southwest Virginia, totaling 1208 new jobs, 180 saved jobs, and more than $50 million in private investment. Including today’s announcements, Governor Warner has announced more than 3,750 new jobs and nearly $290 million in investment in Southside and Southwest since taking office in January. Statewide, Governor Warner has announced more than 22,000 new jobs and $2.32 billion in investment.
“Sherwood Brands is a major food processor in Southside Virginia, and the Commonwealth is proud of its products and success,” said Governor Warner. “This announcement is great news for Mecklenburg County’s dedicated workforce.”
Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Sherwood Brands manufactures, markets, and distributes confectionery products. The company’s branded products include Cows®, a line of soft and chewy toffees and dairy butter and cream hard candies; Ruger® wafers, a line of wafer cookies; Elana®, Belgian chocolate bars; and Demitasse®, a line of tea biscuits in a variety of flavors. Sherwood also manufactures hard candies, jellybeans and lollipops, and packaged gift baskets and gift items. Demitasse® biscuits, Ruger® wafers and cookies, and PB Cows® all bear the “Virginia’s Best” seal of approval.
“It’s clear that we made the right decision last year when we chose to locate Sherwood’s new plant in Southside, Virginia,” said Mr. Uziel Frydman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sherwood Brands. “Our state-of-the-art facility has only been operating for a few months, yet we already are moving aggressively to expand significantly. Obviously, we are delighted with every aspect of doing business in Chase City. We’ve found top-quality workers, excellent transportation, and a business-friendly environment. We look forward to continuing to grow together with this wonderful community.”
Governor Warner approved a $125,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Mecklenburg County with the project. The County also obtained $125,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development will award Chase City with a $700,000 Community Development Block Grant to pay for the construction of a wastewater pre-treatment facilty, which will support operations at Sherwood Brands, LLC. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Lake Country Marketing Council, Southside Planning District Commission, the Town of Chase City, and the Mecklenburg County Office of Economic Development assisted Sherwood Brands with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.