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.

The Virginia Enterprise Zone (VEZ) program is a partnership between state and local government that encourages job creation and private investment. VEZ accomplishes this by designating Enterprise Zones throughout the state and providing two grant-based incentives, the Job Creation Grant (JCG) and the Real Property Investment Grant (RPIG), to qualified investors and job creators within those zones, while the local government provides local incentives.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) International Trade division today announced the release of “Export Opportunities for Virginia’s Defense Industry.” VEDP-International Trade’s focus is to promote the exports of Virginia companies with the goal to grow jobs and increase the state’s tax base. As the U.S. Federal Government cuts back on defense spending, there are significant opportunities for Virginia’s defense companies to grow sales abroad.