RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Chesapeake company, Air Systems International, 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 - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of two Richmond-area companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. The companies are Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. of Glen Allen and PARI Respiratory Equipment, Inc. of Midlothian. Launched in January 2002, the VALET 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 Chantilly company, CVG, 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 - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Virginia Beach company, VSD, LLC, 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 - Did you know that Vietnam ranked as Virginia’s 60th largest export destination in 2007, valued at nearly $34 million, representing a 106 percent increase over 2006? From wood products to machinery, trade opportunities for Virginia companies abound in Vietnam—and they’re just a trade mission away.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Earle M. Jorgensen Company (EMJ) will invest about $6 million to open a metal products distribution facility in Dinwiddie County, creating 16 jobs.

“EMJ has grown into one of the largest metal distributors in the world,” Governor Kaine said. “Dinwiddie County had a developable tract of land that met the company’s needs and this new facility allows convenient access to EMJ’s existing Mid-Atlantic customer base.”

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Graham Packaging Company, L.P., a global leader in the design, sale and manufacture of custom blow-molded plastic containers, will invest $12.07 million to expand its manufacturing facility in the Town of Altavista in Campbell County, creating 10 jobs.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that C3RS, a recycler of waste tires, will invest $4 million to open a facility in Louisa County, creating 35 new jobs. The company, which will also be headquartered in Louisa, will acquire waste tires, grind and shred them into rubber crumb and sell the recycled material to users of rubber, steel and fiber material. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today welcomed to Virginia the “Partners in Technology” Trade Mission, a delegation representing more than 20 Canadian modeling and simulation firms from eight provinces across Canada. For the second consecutive year, the delegation will meet with representatives from Virginia’s modeling and simulation industry in Hampton Roads September 15-18 to develop potential partnerships for business development in the Commonwealth.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today applauded Virginia’s success in leading the nation in growth of high-tech exports. According to the American Electronics Association (AeA), the nation’s largest high-technology trade association, Virginia experienced a $1.1 billion increase in high-tech goods exports since 2006—the largest increase of any state. The growth led to an 11th-place national ranking for Virginia compared to the Commonwealth’s 21st-place ranking in 2006.