Governor McDonnell Announces Monogram Food Solutions Expansion in Henry County

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Monogram Food Solutions, LLC, a Memphis-based manufacturer of value-added processed meats, will invest $4 million to expand its operation in Henry County, creating 150 new jobs. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling joined company officials, business and government leaders today on the Governor’s behalf to announce the expansion project. Virginia successfully competed against two other states for the project.

In August 2009 the company announced its purchase of the meat snack business of American Foods Group division, Knauss Snack Food Company, in Henry County.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell commented, “This facility has a long history of success, starting with Knauss’ relocation from Pennsylvania in 2002. Most recently, Monogram Food Solutions expanded in 2009 and created an additional 120 new jobs. The company is a strong corporate partner to Henry County, and I applaud this additional growth and investment less than one year later. ”

“The business expansion and job creation we announce today is good news for Southern Virginia and another indication that our economy is turning the corner,” said Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. “In a short period of time, Monogram Foods has become a job creation leader in Martinsville and Henry County, and we look forward to working with them to achieve even greater successes in the years to come. With this announcement and others like it in recent months, it is clear that we are doing the right things to get our economy growing again. If we keep working hard, I am confident that we will continue to see more positive results like those we announce today.”

“I am grateful this grant from the Tobacco Commission will help Monogram provide additional jobs and investment in the community,” said Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-Martinsville).

Founded in 2004 when a group of Memphis investors bought King Cotton and Circle B Brand Meats business from Sara Lee Corporation, Monogram Food Solutions is dedicated to providing innovative and top-quality food products that consumers love to eat. Monogram Meat Snacks, a division of Monogram Food Solutions, is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of quality meat snacks, including jerky, meat and cheese snacks, kippered beef sticks and pickled sausages. Monogram’s products, all made in the U.S.A., include King Cotton, Circle B, Wild Bill’s, O’Brien’s, Trail’s Best, Pete’s Pride, Hannah’s, Bull’s, Jeff Foxworthy and Bass Pro Shop’s Uncle Buck’s Licensed Products. Monogram Food Solutions also produces a wide variety of private label brand meat snacks, smoked meats, corn dogs and fritters for strategic partners across the country. Monogram operates facilities in Tennessee, Minnesota, and Indiana as well as the Henry County, VA plant.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $100,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $450,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. Earlier this year, the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority provided a $2,000,000 direct loan for equipment to Monogram Food Solutions. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“We chose Virginia for our business expansion for a variety of key reasons”, said Karl Schledwitz, Chairman and CEO of Monogram Food Solutions. “First, we are highly impressed with the Henry County work force. Our employees are talented and dedicated to making high quality meat products efficiently. With Henry County’s high unemployment rate, there are many additional fine people in need of a good job, and we are pleased to add them to our family. Second, the Commonwealth of Virginia is blessed to have a Governor, the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission and state and local economic development corporations that worked well with us to make this possible."

“We are thrilled that Monogram Food Solutions once again has chosen to expand its Henry County operations,” said Debra Buchanan, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “Monogram is the epitome of a great corporate partner and a great friend of this community, and we look forward to many years of growth.”