Richmond - Governor Allen today announced that Acken Signs, Inc., will be investing $1.5 million to relocate its sign manufacturing facility from West Virginia to Tazewell County. The company will be constructing a building to house their administrative offices, as well as purchasing 12.3 acres and two buildings in the Enterprise Zone which created by legislation signed by the Governor in 1995.

National Foam Cushion Will Create Up To 125 New Jobs in Enterprise Zone

MAPEI Corporation Facility To Create 40 New Jobs

Richmond - Governor George Allen today announced that MAPEI Corporation, based in Milan, Italy, will locate a $3 million facility in Stafford County, creating 40 new jobs. MAPEI is the world's largest manufacturer of surface preparation and installation materials for the stone, ceramic tile and floor covering industries.

Governor Allen Welcomes 250 Jobs From Canadian Manufacturer

Blackstone - Governor George Allen today welcomed Ontario Store Fixtures (OSF, Inc.), North America's largest integrated store fixture manufacturer, at the company's new plant in the Town of Blackstone, Nottoway County. OSF's $5 million initial investment will create 250 to 300 new jobs over the next three years, with future expansion possible. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama for the investment.

IBM/Toshiba Joint Venture Open for Business in The Silicon Dominion

Manassas - Governor George Allen today announced the grand opening of Dominion Semiconductor, the $1.7 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility jointly announced by IBM and Toshiba America Electronic Components in August 1995. Dominion Semiconductor currently employs over 500 people, with total employment expected to exceed 1,200 by year-end 1998. Governor Allen originally announced this joint venture on August 8, 1995.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of three Hampton Roads companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program: Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) of Newport News; Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America of the City of Chesapeake; and Tek Fusion Global, Inc. of the City of Williamsburg. These Virginia companies join the program as part of the 31st class of the VALET program.

National Print/Mail Center to Create 110 Jobs, Invest $13 Million

Richmond - Governor George Allen today announced that GEICO, the nation's 7th largest automobile insurer, will expand its existing operations in Stafford County and construct a new National Print/Mail Center. The expansion will create 110 new jobs with an initial investment of $13 million.

Baan's Decision, $40 Million Investment to Create 1,000 New Jobs

Richmond - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia Tech will host five exporting seminars in November entitled "Power Tools for International Profits." The programs will be held in five areas across the state and are designed to assist small Virginia firms seeking to develop export markets as well as individuals who have assumed export responsibilities with established exporting firms.