aCorridor Headlines

1. Washington County plant to expand
   Governor announces 70 new jobs; saves 174.
2. Grayson County welcomes 55 new jobs.
   Carolina Profile Design Corp. to invest $3 million.
3. Smyth County company holds ribbon-cutting.
   American Wood Fibers holds open house.
4. Artisan center breaks ground.
   Modern 29,000 sq. ft. facility will be gateway to region.
5. From My Perspective...
   An update from Executive Director Tom Elliott.
6. around the aCorridor...
   Bland County community goes wireless. Carroll County community receives funding for utilities and tourism.

Columbus McKinnon set to invest $5 million in Damascus plant

Delegate Joe Johnson speaks during the Columbus McKinnon announcement in July. Others include, from left, Russell Owens, chairman of the Washington County IDA; Jack McCrady, who represents Damascus on the Washington County Board of Supervisors; Lyn Hammond, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Ed Seiler, director of operations improvement at Columbus McKinnon; and Terry Smith, acting general manager at Columbus McKinnon.

Governor

Timothy M. Kaine announced in July that Columbus McKinnon

Corporation, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, plans to invest $5 million in its Damascus Hoist Division operations in Washington County . This investment is part of a corporate restructuring that will consolidate part of its hoist operations into the Damascus plant. The project expects to create approximately 70 new jobs and retain 174 current positions. Virginia successfully competed against three other states for these jobs.

"Our Virginia plant has been a very safe, productive and progressive plant that knows how to build high quality products and take good care of our customers," said Gene Buer, Columbus McKinnon vice president. "The products being added to this operation complement the products currently produced in Damascus very well, and we were very impressed with the level of support we received from the local community, Washington County and the state of Virginia."

"Retaining the Columbus McKinnon Hoist Division operations in the region is crucial - the company is a major contributor to Washington County," Governor Kaine said. "This latest expansion and investment is welcome news during tough economic times for the county, state and nation."

Grayson County business to add jobs with $3 million expansion                          

Posing for a photograph at Carolina Design Corp. are, from left, Mitch Smith, assistant Grayson County Administrator; Leonard Ellis, partner, Carolina Profile Design Corp.; and Jonathan Sweet, Grayson County Administrator.

Governor Timothy Kaine announced Oct. 28 that Carolina Profile Design Corp., a lithographic commercial printing company, will invest $3 million to expand in Grayson County, creating 55 jobs. The company will add a metal machining process to its existing operations. Virginia successfully competed with Illinois, North Carolina and Pennsylvania for the project.

“Carolina Profile Design has been a corporate staple in Grayson County since 1990,” Governor Kaine said. “This expansion will enable the company to manufacture high-end metal parts for machinery and after-market products that are in demand around the world. In a region that has been hit by economic the downturn and offers an available workforce, 55 new jobs are significant.”

Carolina Profiles began in 1990 as a machine shop with considerable capability in designing plastic recycling equipment. The company now operates both a sophisticated machine design and production shop and some specialized commercial printing.

“We at Carolina Profiles appreciate the natural beauty, the lifestyle and the friendly attitude of Grayson County and Western Virginia,” said Helmar Nielsen, president, Carolina Profile Design Corp. “The state and county government have been very helpful, particularly with employee training, which is a major requirement of our machining operation.”

“Carolina Profile's expansion, and creation of 55 advanced manufacturing jobs, is an outstanding example of the results of our strategy to support local businesses and entrepreneurs who are creating employment that is above average pay and benefits, and not easily sent overseas,” said Mike Maynard, chairman, Grayson County Board of Supervisors. “We are aggressively working to develop additional opportunities for this type of secure employment for the citizens of Grayson County.”

American Wood Fibers holds open house and ribbon-cutting                         

Ed Leland, CEO of American Wood Fibers, addresses employees and others during the Sept. 24 ribbon-cutting and open house at the company's Smyth County facility. David Smith, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade, was the keynote speaker.

Smyth County's American Wood Fibers held an official ribbon-cutting and open house at their operations on Sept. 24. Located in the Seven Mile Ford community, the company completely renovated the former Springford Knitting facility and built 56,000 sq. ft. of new space at the site. Originally projecting $9 million of capital investment, the company actually invested $16.9 million for building and equipment. AWF has 59 employees, which also surpasses the original job goal of 50 persons. The company takes wood waste and makes chips for animal bedding, wood flour for composites, and pellets for fuel. Ed Leland, CEO of American Wood Fibers, addressed the group and keynote speaker was David Smith, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade. He presented the company with a framed share of stock in The Virginia Company.

Construction under way for new artisan center in the region

Designed by Spectrum Design of Roanoke, the LEED Certified building will feature artisan galleries, a superior food court with locally sourced foods and beverages, storyboards and maps of the region to highlight opportunities for exploring, exhibits of featured artisans and a place for music performances as a stop on The Crooked Road. The building will also house the offices of the 'Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia Artisan's Network and The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail staff. The center is projected to open in early 2011.

Ground was broken in early August for the $16 million Heartwood, described as an artisan center gateway to Southwest Virginia's cultural heritage. The modern artisan center is under construction on eight acres next to the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College, located at Exit 14 of I-81 in Abingdon.

"Heartwood will be the cultural hub of Southwest Virginia, promoting the artistic heritage of the area, while also highlighting The Crooked Road and the numerous other nature and artisan trails throughout the region," said Governor Tim Kaine. "It will be the symbol of the new economy based on heritage tourism that is emerging in Southwest Virginia."

The facility is projected to draw 270,000 visitors and generate more than $10 million in revenue for the region each year. According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, five of the 15 localities with the greatest increase in tourism expenditures from 2005 to 2006 were in Southwest Virginia along The Crooked Road, the musical heritage trail.

Return to Top

From my     perspective...

Tom Elliott     

Executive Director

2009 Year-to-Date Report Card

• 4 Expansions, 235 jobs, $10.15 Million capital investment

While new prospect activity has been dreadfully slow in 2009, we are fortunate to have some existing industries that are expanding with capital investment and jobs as well.

The Columbus McKinnon plant in Damascus is a great example of a facility with such a strong track record for quality and productivity that it was chosen not only to remain in operation, but to grow, even in the face of corporate restructuring elsewhere. Congratulations to all the Washington County leaders and officials who worked so hard to bring about this corporate vote of confidence in the Damascus facility!

Carolina Profile Design Corporation is a company that has been operating in Grayson County quietly but successfully for a number of years – so successfully that it’s expanding into a whole new line of business with worldwide markets. Kudos to Grayson County officials for making sure this expansion took place right here at home!

Although slightly unusual, it’s highly possible that our existing industries will account for 100% of our capital investment and job creation in 2009. In this economy, we won’t complain about that!

around the aCorridor...

Bland County community launches broadband service. Congressman Rick Boucher came to Mechanicsburg Oct. 12 to launch the community's new broadband service and a new public Internet access site connected to the broadband network that has been established at the Mechanicsburg Computer Center. He said adding the Mechanicsburg community to the network marked the completion of the third phase of a broadband project.To complete the project, Bland County has provided a local match of $53,500 including in-kind services. "With assistance of a federal grant of $311,300 provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service, beginning today the 170 residents and businesses in the Mechanicsburg community will gain access to wireless high-speed Internet services," Boucher said. In addition, the Bland County Computer Learning Center has been established next to the Mechanicsburg Community Center. The Bland County Computer Learning Center includes 10 new computer workstations outfitted with the latest computer equipment. The center provides high-speed Internet services, as well as classes and seminars. Additionally, the County has provided a free wireless hot spot at the Computer Learning Center so that anyone with an appropriately equipped laptop can access the Internet from the center. 

Carroll County community Fancy Gap recently received two federal funding grants. Congressman Rick Boucher announced in September that Fancy Gap will receive more than $8 million in federal stimulus funds to construct 13 miles of wastewater lines to serve 65 homes and businesses, 13 miles of water lines to connect to 190 homes and businesses and a 200,000-gallon storage tank, according to an article in the Galax Gazette. Boucher said this is the third Carroll County Interstate 77 exit area to receive federal funds for water and sewer. Other projects included support for the distribution system for regional water and sewer systems at Wildwood Commerce Park at Exit 19 and installation of water and sewer for businesses at Exit 1. In October, according to the newspaper, Fancy Gap won one of six tourism grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission. Fancy Gap will also receive a $38,500 grant for an interactive tourism information kiosk.

Bristol is one of three Virginia communities on Smart21Communities list for 2010. For the second year, Bristol is included on the list of communities from 13 nations who are recognized by the International Community Forum for broadband development in their communities. Arlington and Danville joined Bristol on the list. Of the 21 communities throughout the world, the top seven will be recognized and the Intelligent Community of the Year will be announced from the top seven in May at a Building the Broadband Economy summit in New York City.

The Veterans Administration has selected a site in Wytheville for a community based outpatient clinic. According to an article in the Wythe News, the VA will construct a new building at 100 Peppers Ferry Road on the vacant lot between Rite Aid and East End Cemetery.
U.S. Representative Rick Boucher made the announcement in October and said construction of the outpatient clinic is tentatively scheduled to begin in January with the clinic opening next summer.

Any suggestions or comments about this e-newsletter? Please let us hear from you.

Contact us at: pr@acorridor.com.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, click here.

Return to Top