Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) will expand its operations in the Richmond area. HP plans to occupy an 800,000-square-foot facility in the White Oak Technology Park in Eastern Henrico County, which will be used for assembly and distribution of HP LaserJet printers. HP is negotiating with Meridian Industrial Trust, a San Francisco, California real estate developer, to build the facility. The total investment in the project is expected to be $35.4 million.
"The rapidly growing number of Hewlett-Packard facilities in Virginia demonstrates that our pro-business climate is one of the best in the nation," said Governor Gilmore. "HP will benefit from the skilled workforce present in Henrico County and the Greater Richmond area."
The new facility is part of HPÕs LaserJet Product Completion and Distribution Organization, and is the second such center for HP LaserJet printers that the company has opened in Richmond. The other is located in the Eastport Business Center. Approximately 700 jobs are expected to be created at the new facility over the next three years. Recruitment, staffing, and operations will be managed by ManufacturerÕs Services Ltd. Of Concord, Massachusetts, and Menlo Logistics of Redwood City, California.
"This announcement is an excellent example of state, regional, and local economic development forces working together to complete a very complex project," said David A. Kaechele, Chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors. "Many people throughout the entire central Virginia region will benefit from the economic activity generated by this project."
Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, HP is a global manufacturer of computing, communication and measurement products and is a Fortune 500 company. This is the third HP facility to open in Central Virginia in the past year. In addition to the operation in the Eastport Business Center, HP opened a facility at the RiverÕs Bend Center in southern Richmond, which packages and distributes printer supplies. The company also has a sales office in Richmond.
Governor Gilmore approved a grant from the GovernorÕs Opportunity Fund in the amount of $650,000 to assist Henrico County with site preparation. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Greater Richmond Partnership and the Henrico County Industrial Development Authority assisted HP with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.
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