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 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 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 - 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 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 - 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 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 - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of five Northern Virginia companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of three Southwest Virginia companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of two Hampton Roads companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

The new companies accepted into the program include Paramount Industrial Cos., Inc. of Norfolk; and TST – Tactical Defense Solutions of Virginia Beach.