RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Clinch Mountain Finishing & Logistics will invest $6 million and create 220 new jobs at a manufacturing facility in the Russell County Industrial Park in the Town of Lebanon. The company will expand an existing building by 48,000-square-feet, and the new facility will produce pre-finished hardwood flooring utilizing state-of-the-art ultra violet finishing technology. Virginia successfully competed with Tennessee for the project.
“Clinch Mountain Finishing & Logistics will run one of the largest hardwood flooring plants in Virginia, using a high-tech finishing process that greatly reduces atmosphere emissions,” said Governor Kaine. “This project builds on the growing and impressive wood products industry ‘cluster’ in Southwest Virginia. I look forward to the company’s success in the region.”
Founded in 2005, Clinch Mountain Finishing & Logistics is headquartered in Lebanon. The company is a spin-off from the growth of Clinch Mountain Hardwood Flooring, started in 1998. An increase in the company’s customer base required a larger, newer and higher-technology facility.
“With this new state-of-the-art facility, we will be able to handle 10 times the volume of Clinch Mountain Hardwood and also offer our customers warehousing and direct shipments to their customers,” said Luther Boyd, President, Clinch Mountain Finishing & Logistics. “The ability to offer a high quality of finish and a full warehousing program makes Clinch Mountain Finishing & Logistics one of the most sought-after hardwood floor finishers in the United States.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Town of Lebanon and the Russell County Industrial Development Authority to prepare the state’s proposal and negotiate an incentive package to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $300,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist the Town of Lebanon with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $250,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
“Any new industry in the area is great, but when they are homegrown it is even better,” said Danny Brown, Chairman, Russell County Board of Supervisors. “I have known the major players in this venture for several years and I feel confident that Clinch Mountain Finishing & Logistics will be a great success.”