RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Windsor Mill, a northern California-based manufacturer of premium wood siding and trim, will locate a facility in Surry County. The project will create 70 new jobs over the next 30 months. Through a $6-million investment, Windsor Mill will locate in the Surry County Shell Building in the Surry West Business Center. The company plans to double the size of the existing 60,000-square-foot shell building. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland and North Carolina for the project.
“Today’s announcement marks the first new manufacturer to locate in Surry County in more than 30 years,” said Governor Warner. “I am pleased to welcome Windsor Mill to the Commonwealth. This company will diversify the region’s economic base and create job opportunities for hardworking Virginians.”
Windsor Mill is one of the largest manufacturers of high-quality specialty lumber, molding and millwork in the United States. Founded in 1972, the company currently has operating facilities in Windsor, Calif., Willits, Calif. and Chile. For more information, visit www.WindsorONE.com.
“Virginia is the perfect location for our business,” said John Hankins, President of Windsor Mill. “It’s well situated to our existing customer base and expanding markets. The state has excellent ports as well as access to convenient truck routes along the eastern seaboard. There is a strong supportive public and private sector with ample workforce of energetic and motivated people. We are excited about the opportunity and look forward to commencing operations later this year.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) received a call from Windsor Mill in March 2003 seeking site selection assistance for a new manufacturing facility to serve the company’s growing East Coast market. Over the next year, VEDP coordinated three company visits to Virginia. During these trips, Windsor Mill representatives met with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia Employment Commission, construction companies and community leaders. In May 2003, VEDP led the company on site visits to six Virginia communities. Eventually, Windsor Mill representatives chose Surry County. Virginia’s Gateway Region joined Surry County leaders to close the deal.
Governor Warner approved a $100,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Surry County with the project. Windsor Mill will take advantage of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance’s Workforce Services Program.
Reginald O. Harrison, Chairman of the Surry County Board of Supervisors, is excited about Windsor Mill’s decision to locate in Surry County. “Surry County, with the assistance of regional, state and federal agencies, has diligently worked to attract industry to Surry,” said Chairman Harrison. “I am indeed pleased and excited about the job opportunities and economic diversity that Windsor Mill will bring to Surry and I want to thank Governor Warner and everyone who played a part in this endeavor.”