RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that American Industrial Heat Transfer, Inc., will invest $11 million to move its business from Illinois and build a facility in Roanoke River Regional Business Park in Southside Virginia. The manufacturer of heat exchangers will create 85 new jobs, including manufacturing, computer programming, maintenance, sales, and administrative positions. Virginia successfully competed against Alabama and Georgia for the project. The announcement was made tonight during Governor Kaine’s Address to the Joint Session of the General Assembly.
“I am proud my very first economic development announcement is such a clear win for Southside Virginia,” said Governor Kaine. “It was a team effort to make this business venture happen, and I’m pleased that we were able to offer the solutions and resources required to land this project. American Industrial will expand the employment base and provide good-paying jobs for the quality workforce in Southside.”
Relocating from Zion, Illinois, American Industrial Heat Transfer, Inc. was founded in 1985. It is a privately owned and operated corporation dedicated to the production of heat exchangers and heat exchanger products. American Industrial produces more than 30 full product lines of air cooled and liquid cooled heat exchangers.
The Roanoke River Regional Business Park, located near U.S. Route 58 and Interstate 85, is a joint venture between Mecklenburg and Brunswick counties. American Industrial Heat Transfer will be the Park’s first tenant.
“American Industrial is very pleased to locate our new facility in Mecklenburg County,” said Gus Sariri, President, American Industrial Heat Transfer, Inc. “The Lake Country Marketing Council and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership demonstrated great willingness and enthusiasm in accommodating our needs as a growing company. Virginia’s pro-business stance and cooperative efforts greatly assisted us in making our decision. Our hope is to create manufacturing jobs that enhance the local community, and grow our company to even greater heights in the future.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Lake Country Marketing Council, Mecklenburg County and Brunswick County to prepare the state’s proposal. A $250,000 grant was approved from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Mecklenburg County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $300,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, because it is locating in a Virginia Enterprise Zone. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will also provide training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
“The Board of Supervisors and Mecklenburg County are very excited to welcome American Industrial Heat Transfer to the area,” said Glenn Barbour, Chairman, Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors. “The company's history proves that they will be an asset to this and surrounding communities providing excellent wages and benefits for their employees. It is also exciting for Brunswick and Mecklenburg to have our first tenant in the Roanoke River Regional Business Park.”
“Brunswick County is very pleased that American Industrial Heat Transfer has selected the Roanoke River Regional Business Park to locate its facility,” said Mrs. Barbara Jarrett Drummond, Vice-Chair of the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors. “I join Mecklenburg in welcoming the company, as our first tenant, in the Regional Park joint venture between our counties and in expressing excitement about the job opportunities that will be brought to our communities for the citizens.”