RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, will build a state-of-the-art aeroengine facility in Prince George County. Initially, the company will invest $100 million to establish an assembly and test facility for its civil aerospace operations. Over time, the company has options to invest up to $500 million to support future advanced manufacturing as opportunities arise for its defense and civil aerospace businesses. The projects will create 500 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas, as well as locations around the world, for the projects.
“Rolls-Royce’s investment is transformational for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the future of our economy,” said Governor Kaine. “The company, which operates in four global markets, will bring international focus to our state’s aerospace industry as well as the research and development capabilities of our universities. Rolls-Royce's decision to locate these operations here is strong affirmation of the talent and professionalism of our educated, high-tech workforce and Virginia’s competitiveness globally.”
Rolls-Royce is headquartered in London, England. The company has a broad customer base comprising 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and energy customers in 120 countries. Rolls-Royce is a technology leader, employing 38,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries.
"I am pleased that Virginia has been selected as the location for this important work. From the beginning of this competition, Virginia understood our business needs and worked hard to put forward a world class proposal. Rolls-Royce has had a strong relationship with Virginia since 1990 and this new facility builds on that partnership," said Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce Chief Executive.
“These projects could not have come to fruition without the visionary professionals who recognized Rolls-Royce’s importance to Virginia,” said Jeffrey M. Anderson, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) Executive Director. “A remarkable team came together, comprised of VEDP, Prince George County, Virginia’s Gateway Region, the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Community College System, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Secretaries of Commerce and Trade, Education, Finance, and Transportation, and the Virginia Liaison Office, who worked tireless hours to get the job done. Congressman Randy Forbes, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William Howell and State Senator William Wampler also personally interacted with company officials during the process.”
“It is exciting to see Rolls-Royce take advantage of the wealth of opportunity that our Virginia universities provide,” said Dr. Thomas Morris, Virginia Secretary of Education. “In support of the company’s advanced manufacturing for its defense and civil aerospace businesses, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech will provide research and development capabilities with a continuous pipeline of engineers.”
Governor Kaine approved Governor’s Opportunity Funding in the amount of $3 million for each of the two projects to assist Prince George County. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program and Community Development Block Grant funding, both administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, assisted by a Virginia Community College System senior level manager to coordinate the delivery of workforce services.
Dr. Joseph A. Leming, Chairman of the Prince George County Board of Supervisors, said, “Prince George County is a pro-business, pro-economic development community. We are thrilled to partner with Rolls-Royce and the Commonwealth to create a world-class, globally-competitive advanced manufacturing campus. In addition to the creation of 500 jobs, the capital investment Rolls-Royce is making in Prince George will bring us closer to the 70 / 30 percent residential / industrial tax base ratio necessary to stabilize the tax base and provide tax relief to each and every home owner in the County.”