RICHMOND - In two years, Universal Fiber Systems LLC, a leading producer of fibers and yarns for carpet, upholstery, automotive, industrial and other textile applications in Bristol, Virginia has increased international sales by 70 percent, established several new international customers and created a global sales network to increase the company’s coverage in China, Japan, Australia and throughout Southeast Asia.
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Reline America, Inc. will invest $4.9 million to build its manufacturing headquarters facility in Saltville. The company, whose technology repairs utility pipes without excavation of the infrastructure, will create 25 new jobs for Smyth County.
Positions will include engineers and skilled manufacturing jobs, with an average annual salary of $38,000. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee for the project.
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Unarco Industries, Inc., a shopping cart manufacturer, will invest approximately $9 million and create 194 new jobs in Danville. The company will hire welders and assemblers for its projected opening in April. Virginia successfully competed against Pennsylvania for the project.
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE: MWV), a global packaging company, has chosen the Greater Richmond area for its corporate headquarters. The company is in the process of determining the specific location that will best meet its long-term facility needs.
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Lees Commercial Carpets, a division of Mohawk Industries Inc., will invest $26.6 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Rockbridge County. The expansion project will create at least 25 new jobs and necessitate retraining for 150 current jobs.
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Martinsville will be the site of the first private-sector child support enforcement customer service call center in Virginia. Tier Technologies, a nationally recognized leader in support collection, will invest $3.1 million and hire 77 employees to help expedite the Virginia Department of Social Services’ collection process and improve the level of collections in Virginia. Tier Technologies will be located in the Commonwealth Centre.
RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership received the Gold Award from Business Facilities magazine for the Philip Morris USA Research and Technology Center project. The project won the top honor in the “Biggest Deals $150-$500 Million” category.
RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that 15 $10,000 grants were awarded to communities as part of the Virginia’s Opportunity Regions (VOR) FY 06 marketing program. This is the second round of grants awarded since the VOR marketing program was established in late 2004. The program’s mission is to increase the number of business prospects to communities of Virginia that have certain levels of fiscal stress or unemployment. The VOR Marketing Grant program provides funds for these localities to build marketing capacity.
RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) recently announced the acceptance of five additional Virginia companies into the March 2006 class of the Accessing International Markets (AIM) export development program. The one year program, launched in December 2005, helps Virginia companies pursue international leads in a new market overseas and realize the benefits of exporting.
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia was named one of America’s most business-friendly states in the annual independent study conducted and published by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc., a top U.S. corporate site relocation expert. The Top Ten Pro-Business States 2006: America’s Economy in the 21st Century study evaluates state and federal economic development policies.