RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that TREAD Corporation, a manufacturer of bulk handling equipment servicing the explosives industry on a worldwide basis, will invest $5 million to expand its operations in Botetourt County. The project will create 100 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against South Carolina for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Fareva, a privately-held international contract manufacturing firm that operates in four business segments—homecare and industrial, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food, will acquire and invest $42 million in Pfizer’s consumer products manufacturing site in Henrico County. Fareva will continue to operate the facility, which manufactures and packages brand-name products such as Advil, Chapstick and Robitussin.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that NBG Holding GmbH, an Austrian-based manufacturer of stainless steel tubes with integrated optical fiber, will invest $5 million to establish Fiber Cable Technology (FCTech), its first U.S. subsidiary, in Botetourt County. The project will create 25 new jobs. Average wages for the new jobs will range from $70,000- $80,000.

RICHMOND - The Board of Directors of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that it has unanimously selected Martin J. Briley as VEDP President and CEO following a six-month national search. Briley has served as Executive Director of the Prince William County Department of Economic Development (PWC ED) since 1997. Possessing 25 years of experience in national and international business development and management, Briley is a results-driven leader nationally recognized as a consensus builder, skilled negotiator, and deal closer.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Microsoft Corp. will invest $150 million to expand their generation data center (Gen4) site in Mecklenburg County. The company will build an additional facility and add 21 MW of electric power capacity to the site. The project will create 10 new jobs. Microsoft’s original project in 2010 involved an investment of up to $499 million and 50 new jobs.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Ace Hardware Corp., the largest hardware franchise company in the world, will invest $14 million to establish an East Coast import re-distribution center in the City of Suffolk. The company selected a 336,000-square-foot build-to-suit location at the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Suffolk. This project will create 75 new jobs over the next 36 months, and service the company’s existing East Coast regional distribution centers, including its operation in Prince George County.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Axxor Group, a Netherlands-based company that designs, produces, and sells honeycomb made from paper and water-based glues, will invest $4.96 million to establish its first U.S. operation, Axxor N.A., in Pittsylvania County. The company, which will be located in the Ringgold East Industrial Park, will enter the U.S. market to supply honeycomb core that is used in IKEA subsidiary Swedwood North America’s product line.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Harris Teeter, Inc., will invest $101 million to open a food distribution operation in King George County, creating 335 jobs. The facility will service existing storefronts in the Virginia market and expand service in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland and North Carolina for the project. 

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that LASCO Bathware, Inc. will invest $1.7 million to expand in Halifax County. The company, which will expand its manufacturing operation to include an additional line of upscale bathware marketed under their “Aquatic” label, will create 50 jobs and save an existing 280 jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Michigan, Texas and Washington for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced global hotel powerhouse Hilton Hotels Corporation will invest at least $17 million to relocate its headquarters from Beverly Hills, California, to Fairfax County, Virginia. The project will create more than 300 permanent, full-time jobs in Fairfax County within the next 36 months. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland and the District of Columbia for the project.