COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
Office of the
Governor
Timothy M. Kaine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor
June
12, 2007
Contact:
Kevin Hall
Phone: (804)
225-4260
Cell Phone: (804) 393-9406
Internet: www.governor.virginia.gov
David Wynne
Christie Miller
American Wood
Fibers
VEDP
276-677-3060
804-545-5805
www.awf.com
www.YesVirginia.org
GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES $9
MILLION EXPANSION, 30 NEW JOBS FOR
SMYTH COUNTY
~ American Wood Fibers to
expand operations ~
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy
M. Kaine today announced that American Wood Fibers (AWF), a leader in the field
of specialty forestry products, will invest $9 million to expand its operations
in Smyth
County. The project will
create 30 new jobs and save 30 existing jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Kentucky, North Carolina,
and Ohio for
the project.
“It is
great news that American Wood Fibers will expand and further enhance its
operations in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Kaine. “This project adds to the
success of the growing and impressive wood products industry cluster in
Southwest Virginia.”
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, American Wood Fibers is committed to
providing a positive contribution to the environment through total wood waste
utilization and the development of environmentally friendly products. They are
leaders in providing specialty forest products to their industrial, pet,
agricultural, and energy customers.
“The
Commonwealth of Virginia and Smyth County
demonstrated a commitment to support our strategic initiative to grow our
business in Southwest Virginia,” said Stephen
Faehner, Vice-President of Industrial Sales & Business Development, American
Wood Fibers. “The Virginia Economic Development Partnership team, along with
local business leaders, worked to coordinate local initiatives with state
programs to provide the most complete package of support. We found the site
through their www.yesvirginia.org Web site and received the information we needed
to make the best decision for our employees, suppliers and valued
customers.”
The
Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Smyth County
and Virginia’s aCorridor to secure the project
for Virginia.
Governor Kaine approved $100,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist
Smyth
County with the project.
The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission
approved $60,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds to support the project. The
company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone
Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community
Development, because it is locating in a Virginia Enterprise Zone. The Virginia
Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the
Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“Smyth
County is proud to be the
home of this expanding wood-products company and looks forward to its continued
success,” said Charlie Clark, Chairman of the Smyth County Board of Supervisors.
“The new jobs and investment will be an asset to our local
economy.”
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