Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Petals, Inc. will locate in Commonwealth Storage in Suffolk. Petals, a major manufacturer of artificial flowers, will hire 250 new employees. The company will also invest $2.1 million in this project.

"I am pleased that Petals has found a home in the City of Suffolk," said Governor Gilmore. "The addition of this company will further diversify the manufacturing base in Hampton Roads."

Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Harris-Tarkett, Inc. will purchase and operate the former Burruss facility in Brookneal, Va. Harris-Tarkett will invest $3.5 million in the Campbell County facility to manufacture unfinished hardwood flooring at this location. The company will also hire 100 new employees over the next 18 months. Virginia successfully competed with West Virginia for this investment.

RICHMOND - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Carlisle Motion Control intends to open a new friction material manufacturing facility in the Town of South Hill. This new facility will work closely with Carlisle’s high-volume friction plant in Fredericksburg and its research and development complex in Charlottesville. The new facility, scheduled to open in late 2001, will employ 110 people. Carlisle will invest $15 million in this project.

Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced International Cold Storage (ICS) will construct a new facility in the Colleen Business Park in Nelson County. Moving its existing operations from Albemarle County to Nelson County will allow the company to expand and in turn remain in Virginia. ICS's expansion will create 74 new jobs and the relocation will retain the existing 73 positions, resulting in 147 new and preserved jobs. The company will invest $3.02 million in this expansion. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for this project.

Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced NTELOS has officially opened its customer care facility in the PortCentre I Building in Portsmouth. NTELOS is expected to build its staff to approximately 250 employees, while investing $9.6 million. Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal represented the Commonwealth at today's event.

"We are very pleased to see the continued growth of this fine native Virginia company," Governor Gilmore said. "NTELOS, an industry leader, will find a welcome home in Portsmouth."

Richmond - Representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Virginia companies, and economic development professionals from across the Commonwealth will participate in the Hannover Fair 2001. The trade show will take place from April 23-28, 2001. 

Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced VIMCO Inc., a subsidiary of Lutron Electronics Company, Inc., will construct a new manufacturing facility in the Northlake Industrial Park in Hanover County. The companies will invest more than $6 million in this project, creating 105 new jobs and retaining the 45 employees that currently work at a VIMCO facility in Henrico County. 

Richmond - Representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and businesses across the Commonwealth will participate in CeBIT 2001, to be held in Hannover, Germany March 22-28. CeBIT is the world's largest trade fair for information technology and telecommunications. This show attracts over 750,000 visitors and more than 8,000 exhibitors, showcasing the latest technology from 60 countries around the world.

Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced Heat Transfer Specialties (HTS), a subsidiary of Entrodyne Corporation, will locate in the Rockbridge Regional Industrial Park in the City of Buena Vista. The relocation of HTS from Jeffersonville, Indiana, to Buena Vista will involve an investment in facilities, equipment, and improvements of approximately $3.5 million. Employment will total roughly 250, including assemblers, welders, electricians, and support personnel. Virginia successfully competed with Indiana and Kentucky for this project.

WINCHESTER - The Passport Program officially began in the Northern Shenandoah Valley today with a kick-off luncheon to introduce the program to area businesses. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) combined efforts with the Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission, the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority, the Winchester-Frederick County and Front Royal-Warren County Chambers of Commerce, the Shenandoah County Office of Economic Development and the Clarke County Office of Economic Development to organize this event.