RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner tonight announced that Ten Oaks, LLC, a new hardwood products manufacturer, is investing more than $6 million to open in Patrick County. The project will create 150 new jobs in Southwest Virginia. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project. The Governor made the announcement during his annual State of the Commonwealth speech.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that BT Conferencing Inc., a worldwide provider of audio, web and video conferencing, has invested $1 million to locate a new customer support facility in the City of Chesapeake. The project will create 150 new jobs. The Chesapeake facility is slated to open in early March.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner announced today that Arkay Packaging Corporation, which has operated in Botetourt County since 1995, will invest $11 million to expand its EastPark Commerce Center facility. The expansion will create 75 jobs, ranging from pressmen to operator feeders. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina and New York for the project. 

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Southern Textile Service, Inc. and RD Group/2 LLC are investing $8 million to locate a linen processing facility in Mecklenburg County. Southern Textile Service, Inc. is a newly formed company associated with Virginia Linen Service, Inc., a 71-year-old linen and uniform rental service company. The new company will hire 55 new employees for the new 50,000-square-foot facility, which will be built in the Interstate Industrial Park in South Hill.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Snack Alliance, Inc., a national snack food manufacturer, has purchased the Wise Snack Food plant in Bristol and plans to expand its production operations through a total investment of $9.8 million. The project will bring 95 new jobs to the Southwest region and save 85 existing jobs at the plant. Virginia competed successfully with South Carolina for the project. The company will begin production at the Bristol facility in December.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner announced today that the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, an export promotion program created by Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s International Trade Division, received top honors last night from The National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP).

FAIRFAX COUNTY - Gov. Mark R. Warner announced today that AgustaWestland, Inc. and AgustaWestland Bell will relocate and consolidate their operations in Reston, creating 300 new jobs and a $2 million investment in Fairfax County. AgustaWestland is one of the world’s largest military and commercial helicopter manufacturers. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland for the project.

The company’s move into the new facility is slated for January 2005. The jobs created include high technology jobs.

FAIRFAX COUNTY - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that 11,115 jobs will be created by four major companies already doing business in Virginia that provide services to the federal government. The total investment will exceed $351 million. These jobs will pay an average salary of $76,000.

FAIRFAX COUNTY - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Booz Allen Hamilton will commence a major expansion in Fairfax County, Virginia resulting in the creation of 3,700 new jobs with an average salary of $79,000. The $133 million project will span five years with hiring beginning immediately. Booz Allen Hamilton currently employs more than 8,000 people at its current offices in Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Norfolk.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Global Contact Services is investing $1 million to locate a call center facility in the Town of Saltville. The call center, which will be located in a former Piggly Wiggly building at 345 Palmer Avenue, will create 200 new jobs for residents of Southwest Virginia. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia for the project.