Governor Kaine Announces Philip Morris USA to Reopen, Expand York County Facility

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Philip Morris USA will invest up to $100 million in its York County facility to support the company’s growth strategy. The company, which will initially create 75 new jobs, will occupy the former York Manufacturing Center, which closed in 2003. Operations are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2007, and additional new jobs are anticipated as the new facility ramps up production.

“Since its start in Virginia in 1919, Philip Morris USA has become one of the Commonwealth’s largest private employers,” said Governor Kaine. “In a four-year period, Philip Morris has moved its headquarters to our capital city, and the company is building a $350 million research center in downtown Richmond to develop new technologies. This additional project in York County will create manufacturing capability for new products, and provide the people of York County and surrounding localities with high-paying job opportunities.”

Philip Morris USA, headquartered in Richmond, Va., is an operating company of Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO).

“We considered several locations. However, working with state and local officials, including the Governor, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, York County Board of Supervisors, and York County Administration, including the Economic Development Department, made it clear that our York facility could play an important part in our company's future,” said John R. Nelson, president operations and technology, Philip Morris USA.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with York County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved $320,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist York County with building and site improvements for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.

“We are extremely pleased to have Philip Morris reinvesting in York County,” said Walter C. Zaremba, Chairman of the York County Board of Supervisors. “They have been an excellent corporate citizen and this expansion will create high-paying employment opportunities and significant tax revenue for our community.”