RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Jennmar Corporation of Virginia, Inc., a subsidiary of Frank Calandra, Inc. & Subsidiaries and a provider of quality roof and standing support products for the mining and tunneling industry, will invest $6 million to build a new facility in Tazewell County, creating 70 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia for the project.
The plant will manufacture corrugated metal products and other steel-related roof control products for the mining and construction industry. The new facility will be located in Wardell Industrial Park, near an existing Jennmar facility that manufactures roofing support products for the coal industry.
“Jennmar’s decision reflects the company’s positive business experience in Virginia and the rejuvenated domestic coal industry,” said Governor Kaine. “Tazewell County offers Jennmar an excellent business climate and a strong, motivated workforce, and this announcement is a direct result of Jennmar’s success at its existing facility in Tazewell.”
Jennmar originated as a proprietorship in 1922 by Mary and Frank Calandra, Sr., parents of Jennmar’s two common stockholders, Jack Calandra and Frank Calandra, Jr. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jennmar Corporation offers coal and hard rock producers a technologically advanced line of roof control products. Currently, Jennmar has sales offices and plants in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Australia, and China.
“Jennmar selected Tazewell County because of our past economic success since 1994,” said Frank Calandra, Jr., President and CEO of Jennmar Corporation. “Jennmar also chose the State of Virginia due to many positives for a manufacturing facility. Virginia has a fair state corporate tax structure, is politically corporate friendly to include workmen’s compensation and environmental laws and is pro-active in enhancing future business. Tazewell County offers excellent banking and municipality services.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Tazewell County and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Tazewell County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $110,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is eligible to receive state 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 support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
“Tazewell County greatly appreciates Jennmar Corporation of Virginia, Inc.’s presence in our business community,” said William “Bill” Rasnick, Chairman, Tazewell County Board of Supervisors. “Their decision to further invest in a new manufacturing facility for corrugated metal products is a testament to the area’s excellent workforce and Virginia’s pro-business environment. We are excited about the creation of 70 new jobs and look forward to a continued, long and successful partnership with Jennmar Corporation of Virginia, Inc.”