Governor McDonnell Announces $69.8 Million Investment in Rockingham County

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that The WhiteWave Foods Company (“WhiteWave”) (NYSE:WWAV), a consumer packaged food and beverage company with leading brands in plant-based foods and beverages, coffee creamers and beverages and premium dairy products, will invest $69.8 million to expand its operation in the town of Mount Crawford in Rockingham County. The plant currently manufactures Silk®, Horizon Organic®, International Delight® and LAND O LAKES® products. Virginia successfully competed against Texas for the project. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling joined business and government leaders in Mount Crawford today on the Governor’s behalf to announce the project, which will create 36 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “The Mount Crawford plant has been in operation for 25 years, and more than $190 million has been invested in property and equipment since the year 2000. This expansion represents another significant investment to add a new warehouse facility and machinery to expand production and meet increased market demands. WhiteWave Foods Company is a vital part of the Rockingham County business community, and this tremendous project ensures continued growth and the potential for additional expansion projects at the facility due to increased capacity.”

“We are delighted that WhiteWave has decided to expand their business in Mount Crawford,” said Lieutenant Governor Bolling. “While we work hard to recruit new business and industry to our state, we know that it is just as important to grow existing business and industry in Virginia. WhiteWave knows that Virginia is a great place to do business, and there is no part of Virginia that is more supportive of business than the Shenandoah Valley. We thank WhiteWave for the confidence they have placed in Virginia, and for the additional investment they are making to provide more jobs and opportunity for families in the Shenandoah Valley.”

“WhiteWave Foods is thriving in Rockingham County, and remains a major employer,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “The company continues to choose to invest in Virginia due to the skilled labor pool, the proximity to the East Coast population base, and the available property that enables expansions. We welcome the addition of 36 new jobs to the employee base of more than 400 at the Mount Crawford plant.”

The WhiteWave Foods Company is a leading consumer packaged food and beverage company that manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells branded Plant-based Foods and Beverages, Coffee Creamers and Beverages, and Premium Dairy products throughout North America and Europe. The Company is focused on providing consumers with innovative, great-tasting food and beverage choices that meet their increasing desires for nutritious, flavorful, convenient, and responsibly produced products. The Company’s widely-recognized, leading brands distributed in North America include Silk® Plant-based Foods and Beverages, International Delight® and LAND O LAKES® Coffee Creamers and Beverages, and Horizon Organic® Premium Dairy products. Its popular European brands of Plant-based Foods and Beverages include Alpro® and Provamel®.

“At WhiteWave, we are focused on investing in our Mount Crawford facility in response to increased consumer demand for our Silk, Horizon Organic, International Delight and LAND O LAKES products,” said Jim Peacock, Vice President, Supply Chain at WhiteWave. “We are thrilled to continue to invest in our Mount Crawford plant with the support of state and local government officials, the community and our employees.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Rockingham County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved an $800,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. 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 latest announcement of expanded employment and significant investment by WhiteWave shows a strong commitment to Rockingham County and the Shenandoah Valley as a strategic business location,” stated Rockingham County Board of Supervisors Chairman Frederick E. Eberly. “The investment is a sign of new growth for our community; enhancing the presence of a leading food and beverage company in our community, and further strengthening our local economy."