RICHMOND - The opportunity to do business in India is less than six months away for interested Virginia businesses.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Division of International Trade is sponsoring a trade mission to India Feb. 25 to March 7, 2005, that will include pre-screened appointments with Indian companies, commercial briefings on the India market and assistance from VEDP International Trade Managers. The mission trip will visit Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore, which are all attractive markets for Virginia exporters.

NORFOLK - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced a $51 million expansion of Trader Publishing Company’s division headquarters for electronic media in downtown Norfolk. In addition to 600 new jobs, the company’s decision secures 550 existing jobs in the Hampton Roads region.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that five Virginia communities will receive $15,000 grants each to prepare a technology-driven Virtual Building program.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Golden, Colorado-based Coors Brewing Company will construct its third U.S. brewery at its Elkton, Virginia site. The company will invest between $160 million and $190 million in the project and add four to 10 new positions to its current employee base of 467. Coors Brewing Company had several options on where to add brewing capacity and Virginia was successful in securing the business. 

HENRY COUNTY - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that StarTek, Inc., will invest $5 million to open a technical support and customer care center in Henry County. The project will result in 500 new jobs over the next 30 months. This is StarTek’s second customer service center announced this year in Virginia. In March, StarTek announced it would open a facility and create 500 jobs in Lynchburg.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced a $57 million expansion of the Morningstar Foods distribution center in Rockingham County. The expansion will also result in 50 new jobs for area residents. Virginia successfully competed with California, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin for the project.

DANVILLE - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Columbia Flooring is expanding its manufacturing facility in Danville. The $13.5 million expansion will ultimately result in approximately 200 new jobs in Virginia’s Southside region. 

“Columbia Flooring’s decision to expand its operations in Danville further proves the company’s commitment to the Commonwealth,” said Governor Warner. “They recognize and will continue to reap the benefits of the strong work ethic in Southside Virginia and the availability of raw materials in the region.” 

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that eight Virginia companies have been selected to participate in the state’s two-year VALET (Virginia Leaders in Export Trade) 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. Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Matt Erskine attended the welcome event in Richmond today.

Richmond - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Cam Communications, Inc. (CAMCOM), a minority-owned provider of telecommunications related products and services, will expand its corporate headquarters in Fairfax County. Through a $400,000 investment, the company will create 31 new jobs. 

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Hopkins Lumber Company will invest $1.6 million and add 50 new jobs at its lumber and wood products manufacturing facility in Patrick County. Virginia successfully competed with Kentucky and Tennessee for the project.

“Hopkins Lumber’s decision to expand in its home state brings promising opportunities for Patrick County,” said Governor Warner. “This is a good example of how a local family-owned business has found a way to diversify and survive.”