RICHMOND - A combined 14 companies from across the Commonwealth will graduate Thursday from two state export programs, touting impressive results from their newly acquired tools to successfully export products and services overseas. The graduating companies will be recognized during a noon luncheon Thursday at the Richmond Crowne Plaza Hotel. Michael Newman, Vice President, International Sales, Optical Cable Corporation, will serve as the keynote speaker.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Rogers Foam Corporation, a fabricator of engineered foam products, will invest $1.4 million to open a manufacturing facility in Scott County, creating 50 new jobs.

“These new jobs are great news as we continue to work to further diversify the economy of southwest Virginia,” Governor Kaine said. “This impressive global company was attracted to the region because Virginia offers a high quality of life for employees, a trained workforce, and proximity to some of the company’s major customers.”

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia again led the nation in Forbes.com’s “Best States for Business” ranking. In its second year, the review examines multiple objective measurements, including business cost, regulatory climate, quality of the workforce, and economic growth. Forbes.com is the official Internet site of the Forbes family of business publications.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that Bostwick Laboratories™, a medical laboratory providing services to physicians, patients and managed care organizations, will invest $4.6 million to expand its Henrico County headquarters facility. The expansion will create 600 new jobs over the next three years.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that American Wood Fibers (AWF), a leader in the field of specialty forestry products, will invest $9 million to expand its operations in Smyth County. The project will create 30 new jobs and save 30 existing jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ohio for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Merck & Co., Inc. will invest an additional $193 million to expand its Elkton facility, further enhancing production capabilities for the pharmaceutical company’s medicines and vaccines. The project is expected to create 70 new jobs at the facility. Last December, Merck announced a $57 million expansion at the Elkton facility, which was established in 1941.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Gates Corporation, the largest non-tire rubber manufacturer of automotive and industrial products, systems and components in North America, will invest approximately $8 million to open its first Virginia facility in the Highlands Business Park, an industrial park jointly developed by Smyth and Washington counties. The company intends to create 172 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Tennessee for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today launched the Virginia International Trade Alliance (VITAL), a coalition comprised of companies across the Commonwealth dedicated to the advancement of international trade and investment. Governor Kaine announced the creation of VITAL during a meeting of its founding participants this morning at the SunTrust Building in Richmond. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) will support VITAL’s efforts by providing structure and staff assistance.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Alderman Railcar Services, Inc. will invest $3.5 million to open a repair and fabrication shop for the railcar industry in Charlotte County Industrial Park in Keysville. The project will create 110 new jobs paying an average annual salary of $30,000.

“It is great news that Alderman Railcar Services is making this investment and creating jobs in Charlotte County,” Governor Kaine said. “The company offers above-average salaries with benefits, and will serve an important role in the Southside economy.”

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of five new companies into the Accessing International Markets (AIM) export development program. The program, launched by VEDP in December 2005, introduces companies across Virginia to new global business opportunities. Based on a competitive quarterly application process, 20 companies will be accepted into the AIM program each year.