Governor McDonnell Announces Presto Products Company to Expand in Halifax County

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Presto Products Company, a manufacturer of plastic film and bags will invest $6 million to expand its operation in Halifax County. The company will add five new manufacturing lines, creating 22 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Presto’s investment and expansion of five manufacturing lines will allow for increased capacity, serving more customers from its facility in Halifax County. This project will not only increase the company’s competitiveness in its market, but also will help secure the future of the plant and 375 employees. I commend the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center for its commitment to workforce training to meet the needs of Halifax County’s corporate citizens, and Dominion Virginia Power, which helped ensure that the quality of the plant’s electrical service could accommodate the expanded production capacity.”

“I anticipate that this expansion is one of more to come as Presto continues to grow in Halifax County,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “By increasing manufacturing capability, the company is investing in its future and will become even more competitive, gain international and domestic market share, and be more profitable.”

Presto is a market-leading supplier of products ranging from private label food and disposer bags to packaging closures, soil stabilization materials and specialty stretch films.

Joy Johnson, Plant Manager of Presto Products stated, “Our vision is to be the customer’s most cost-effective choice for quality and service through Operational Excellence. We are extremely excited that this expansion will allow us to continue to strive towards our vision and allow us to continue to have a strong presence in this community.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Halifax County to secure the project for Virginia. The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) collaborated with regional partners to develop and coordinate the multi-faceted workforce-training program. Training of incumbent workers will begin at the SVHEC in June.

Dominion Virginia Power also was instrumental in the project, and Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Development Mary Rae Carter provided additional valuable assistance. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment, training and retraining activities.

“This is an exciting day for Halifax County and Southern Virginia to have the first tenant in Halifax County Industrial Park announce their continued growth. This facility has grown at an average of $2 million per year over the last four years, and we are grateful for Presto Products’ investment in Halifax County,” said Mike Sexton, Executive Director of the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County. “We are also grateful for the infrastructure and workforce support received from our state and local partners as well as the support from the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.”

“This tremendous outcome speaks volumes about the power that public/private partnerships can have in revitalizing Southside Virginia. We have been honored to assist in this effort, are deeply appreciative of Governor McDonnell’s leadership in bringing jobs to Southside, and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and serve,” said Dr. Betty H. Adams, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.

“This project represented an opportunity for Presto Products, state and local officials and Dominion to work together to ensure Presto could expand in Halifax County,” said Dominion Virginia Power Chief Executive Officer Paul D. Koonce. “All partners worked diligently, and the spirit of cooperation successfully created today’s good news.”