RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Greencore Group plc, an Ireland-based, leading international manufacturer of convenience foods, will invest $5.75 million to expand its first Virginia food processing facility in Stafford County following the April 2012 acquisition of the former Marketfare Foods, LLC. In addition to servicing Marketfare Foods’ principal customer of 20 years, 7-Eleven, Greencore will also service a significant new contract from the Stafford County operation, creating 350 new jobs.
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that The WhiteWave Foods Company (“WhiteWave”) (NYSE:WWAV), a consumer packaged food and beverage company with leading brands in plant-based foods and beverages, coffee creamers and beverages and premium dairy products, will invest $69.8 million to expand its operation in the town of Mount Crawford in Rockingham County. The plant currently manufactures Silk®, Horizon Organic®, International Delight® and LAND O LAKES® products. Virginia successfully competed against Texas for the project.
SHANGHAI, CHINA - Governor Bob McDonnell today attended the signing of a contract between YingLi, a distributor that specializes in e-commerce channel and high-end retailers, and Yihaodian, the fastest-growing integrated e-commerce company, 51 percent owned by Wal-Mart, with more than 30 million registered users in China, to sell Virginia-based Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. (Hamilton Beach) products. Hamilton Beach has been a leading small appliance company in the U.S. for more than 100 years and has had some products available in the Chinese market since mid-2012.
The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s business and economic development financing arm.
VSBFA provides businesses and localities with debt financing resources for economic development projects and other small business and entrepreneurial financing needs. VSBFA’s definition of “small business” is $10 million or less in annual revenues over each of the last three years, or a gross net worth less than $2 million; or 250 employees or fewer in Virginia; or qualification as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity.
TOKYO, JAPAN - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that JTI Leaf Services will invest $7.5 million in new tobacco processing technology at its facility in Danville. The facility employs more than 270 full-time and seasonal individuals. The Governor will meet with Japan Tobacco officials in Tokyo and express his appreciation for the expansion.
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Sabra Dipping Company, the country’s leading hummus manufacturer will invest $86 million to further expand its manufacturing capacity in Chesterfield County. The company, which earlier today opened a new Center of Excellence research and development facility will further increase production capabilities and as result, will add 140 new jobs over the next several years. Virginia successfully competed against other states for the project.
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today welcomed Raytheon Company’s decision to locate the headquarters of its Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) business at the company’s Dulles operations, based in Sterling, VA.
RICHMOND - The Board of Directors of the Virginia Biosciences Health Research Corporation (VBHRC) today announced that it has selected Michael Grisham as VBHRC President and CEO. Grisham has served as Founder, Managing Member and CEO of GPB Scientific LLC since 2002. Boasting 21 years of experience in the biosciences-related field, he has served as founder and CEO of Cell Point Diagnostics Corporation; Living Microsystems Inc.; MyWay Health, Inc.; and Paradigm Health, Inc.
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Iluka Resources (Iluka), a world leader in mineral sands exploration, mining, processing and marketing, is advancing a potential major expansion of its operations in Virginia with the development of a mineral sands mining operation in Dinwiddie County.
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that High Liner Foods, a publicly-owned processor and marketer of frozen seafood, will invest $6.6 million to expand its U.S. foodservice production in the city of Newport News. High Liner Foods acquired the operations of the former Icelandic USA in December 2011. The company plans to increase productivity via process improvements and upgrades to the current facility. Virginia successfully competed against Georgia and South Carolina for the project, which is expected to create 57 new jobs.