RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that PepsiCo, Inc. will invest $140 million to construct a manufacturing and distribution facility in Wythe County’s Progress Park, creating 250 jobs. The company will produce Gatorade® Thirst Quencher, the world’s number one sports drink, and Propel® Fitness Water. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland and North Carolina for the project.
“PepsiCo is a solid institution in Virginia, already employing more than 2,000 Virginians in 22 locations,” said Governor Warner. “Wythe County is a great choice for the company, and we know they will benefit greatly from this region’s outstanding workforce and its access to key interstate highways.”
Gatoradeâ Thirst Quencher, the nation's leading sports drink, is backed by 35 years of research dating back to its origin at the University of Florida. Gatorade is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Gatorade is the official sports drink of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, AVP, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and Major League Lacrosse. Gatorade is also the official sports drink of the University of Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Richmond International Speedway, Virginia High School League and the Virginia Coaches Association.
Gatorade is based in Chicago and is manufactured by PepsiCo. Headquartered in Purchase, N.Y., PepsiCo is a world leader in convenient foods and beverages, with 2004 revenues of more than $29 billion and 153,000 employees. PepsiCo brands include Gatorade, Tropicana, Quaker Oats, Frito-Lay and Pepsi Cola.
“We are excited to award Virginia as the site of our newest plant,” said Chuck Maniscalco, president of Gatorade. “The Wytheville area is a wonderful community and an important transportation hub to the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley. We weighed many economic, community and resource factors in our final decision, and we are happy to call the Commonwealth home to our eighth manufacturing and distribution facility.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Wythe County, the Town of Wytheville, the Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County, and Virginia’s aCorridor to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Warner approved a $750,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Wythe County with the project. The Governor also approved a $1.5 million grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, a performance-based incentive available to qualifying existing Virginia firms, to close the deal. The company is eligible to receive rail access funding through the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and road access funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $600,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through its Workforce Services Program.
“This is truly a transformational project for Wythe County Progress Park,” said Wythe B. Sharitz, Chairman, Wythe County Board of Supervisors. “We welcome Gatorade and PepsiCo as an anchor for this large regional park, and we look forward to many decades of a productive, supportive relationship.”