RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Atomized Products Group, Inc. (APG), a global provider in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of metal powders and TEXEX® brand battery expanders, will invest $4.3 million to establish an operation in the City of Chesapeake. The company will produce negative battery plate expanders for lead acid battery manufacturers, creating 26 new jobs.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of two Central 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.

The new companies accepted into the program include Rainbow Station, Inc. of Henrico County, and WeightPack, Inc. of Powhatan County.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of four 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 two Southwestern 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.

The new companies accepted into the program include Kollmorgen Corporation of Montgomery County, and Premium Steel Building Systems, Inc. of the City of Roanoke.

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. 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 a Rockingham County company, Dynamic Aviation Group, Inc., 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 Bob McDonnell today announced that PRUFREX Innovative Power Products GmbH, the worldwide leading full-service system partner in the development and production of highly-integrated digital ignition systems and electronic control units, will invest $7.33 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in the City of Virginia Beach. The company will supply ignition components for U.S. customers, including nearby BMZ Batteries and STIHL Inc., which produces the number one selling brand of chain saws.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Rackspace® Hosting, (NYSE: RAX), the open cloud company, is expanding its IT hosting operation in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Montgomery County. The project will result in a $5.5 million investment in building construction and improvements and is expected to provide capacity for more than 100 new jobs at the Rackspace facility.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), a leading global provider of data center solutions, plans to invest at least $150 million by 2015 in its Loudoun County operation. The company is expanding and upgrading data center facilities in Loudoun County, and expecting to create at least 50 new jobs through June 30, 2015.

RICHMOND - Twelve companies from across the Commonwealth will graduate Thursday from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) Program, 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 at the downtown Omni Hotel.