RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Vienna company, Synergy International Systems, 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 - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that SPARTA Composite Products, a division of SPARTA, Inc., will invest $13.2 million to open a manufacturing facility in the City of Suffolk. The company will manufacture composite parts for the aerospace and defense industry, creating 198 jobs over a five-year period. Virginia successfully competed with Georgia, Florida and Iowa for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company will invest $2.15 million to expand its manufacturing facility in the City of Galax. The project will create 100 new jobs and save 500 existing jobs. Virginia successfully competed against locations in North Carolina and Asia for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Raytheon Company, a technology and innovation company specializing in defense, homeland security, cybersecurity and other government markets, is planning to consolidate some of its Northern Virginia facilities into approximately 600,000 square feet of building space in Loudoun County.

Richmond - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that he will travel April 18-25, as the guest of the Israeli and Moroccan governments, to promote Virginia to business and government leaders. Governor Kaine also will participate in a confidential meeting with an economic development prospect in Dubai. He will be joined on the trip by First Lady Anne Holton and Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick O. Gottschalk.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I), a manufacturer of glass containers for food, beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages, will invest $20 million to upgrade equipment at its manufacturing plant in James City County. The facility improvements, made possible through a public-private collaboration, will take place during the next 12 to 24 months and will enhance the energy efficiencies and technological capabilities of the plant. The company employs 180 people at the James City County plant.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Alcoa will invest up to $25 million to increase capacity and production of investment castings for industrial gas turbines at its Hampton operations.

“Alcoa Howmet has been a steadfast contributor and strong corporate citizen in Hampton since it opened in 1974,” Governor Kaine said. “This expansion reflects Alcoa Howmet’s continued commitment to its workforce and the City of Hampton, and I am delighted the company’s long-term, positive experience in Virginia led to an expansion of this magnitude.”

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of nine Virginia companies into its Accessing International Markets (AIM) export development program. The year-long AIM program introduces companies across Virginia to new global business opportunities.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia’s pro-business environment has garnered the Commonwealth its latest No. 1 ranking nationally. The top slot accorded to Virginia this week by Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc., a top U.S. corporate site relocation expert, marks the third time the company has recognized the state with its highest ranking and is the sixth time overall that the Commonwealth has received national recognition as the most business-friendly state under the leadership of Governor Kaine.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that marketing and advertising company Quebecor World Inc. will invest $35.2 million to expand in Frederick County. As the recipient of two new printing presses that will increase production capability, the Frederick County operation will retain 150 existing jobs and create 30 new positions. Virginia successfully competed with Pennsylvania and Tennessee for the project.

Governor Kaine met with Quebecor World senior management during a 2006 marketing mission to Montreal.