MARION, VA ? May 14, 2003 ? Despite layoffs and plant closings in the Mount Rogers region last year, expansion projects at existing industries and several new businesses resulted in a $175 million investment in Virginia?s aCorridor and the creation of 1,131 jobs, according to Andy Hall, executive director of the Mount Rogers Development Partnership, Inc.

Using Virginia Employment Commission figures, Hall said existing industry expansions dominated the list of activity and that the region hit hard by closings last year reported a net loss of 170 jobs.

?This year during Business Appreciation Week across Virginia, it is appropriate for us to recognize the contribution our existing industries make to continued development and growth in our region,? said Hall. The Mount Rogers Development Partnership markets the aCorridor of Virginia (?a? for access) that stretches from Bristol to Galax along Interstates 81 and 77.

Hall said the $34 million expansion and 108 new jobs at Klockner-Pentaplast in Rural Retreat, maker of plastic films, was the largest existing industry announcement of the year. The $65 million Pepsi Bottling Group plant under construction in Wytheville, which will add 200 jobs, topped the list for new industry announcements last year, according to Hall.

?One thing we learned last year when we were re-branding our region and taking a look at our marketable attributes is that we have a strong existing industry base. Our leading attribute is an excellent location along the crossroads of these major interstates, followed closely by progressive existing businesses that we share good communications and relationships with, and we rely on each other to promote our region in economic development,? Hall said.The aCorridor started 2003 strong, Hall said, with two new industry announcements in the first quarter.

?We welcomed AFG Industries to Washington County in early February and in March Governor Warner came to Grayson County to announce that Harvest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. would locate a marketing call center and warehouse distribution center in Independence. We know that these fine companies will become strong existing industries for the region,? said Hall.

AFG Industries, the second largest flat glass manufacturer in North America, will locate a $30 million glass coating plant in Washington County?s Oak Park Center for Business and Industry and employ 80 at the new facility expected to be completed in mid-2004.

Harvest Pharmaceuticals, a newly formed pharmaceutical sales and distribution company, will invest $3.3 million in the Parsons and Rives Building in Independence, bringing 30 new jobs over the next 30 months. Operations at the call center are expected to begin in July with initial employees to include telephone sales, customer service agents, information technology support and warehouse/order fulfillment staff.

Other aCorridor region announcements in 2002 included Turman Lumber, Galax, 161 jobs, $2.5 million; Paxar Corporation in Carroll County, 90 jobs, $3 million; Kentucky Derby Hosiery, Carroll County, 72 jobs, $10.7 million; Sure-Wood Dimension, Smyth County, 75 jobs, $1.4 million; Dorothea Knitting Mills, Washington County, 65 jobs, $2 million; PowerShot Tool, Wythe, 70 jobs, $1.2 million.

Another Wythe County business, Camrett Logistics was the only southwest Virginia company to make the Virginia Chamber of Commerce?s Fantastic Fifty list just released. For the second year in a row, Camrett Logistics of Rural Retreat was listed as one of the fastest growing privately held companies headquartered in Virginia, based on growth rates from 1998 through 2001. Virginia Business magazine, which participates with the Virginia Chamber and features the winners, said Camrett grew more than 209 percent in those years.

The aCorridor region?s leading business announcements last year were recognized by trade publications, Hall said. Plants, Sites & Parks magazine listed the Klockner-Pentaplast and Pepsi projects among the top 25 economic development projects in the country based on job creation.  Site Selection magazine?s May issue recognizes the Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County as one of the nation?s top economic development groups in 2002.

The Mount Rogers Development Partnership, Inc. is a public/private marketing organization that promotes Virginia?s aCorridor. The aCorridor includes the City of Bristol, the City of Galax, and Washington, Smyth, Wythe, Grayson, Carroll and Bland counties. Virginia?s aCorridor provides access to markets, technology and transportation.