RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virginia’s public institutions of higher education and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to undertake joint initiatives to best market Virginia to businesses that will create jobs and invest capital.

The MOU was signed today at a ceremony at the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that WEIGHTPACK, Inc., a packaging machinery company that designs and builds complete lines for the filling and capping of liquid product containers, will invest $2.6 million to move its headquarters operation from Italy and expand its Powhatan County production facility. The project will ultimately create 35 new jobs.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) International Trade division today announced the release of “Exporting Services: A Guide for New Exporters.” VEDP-International Trade’s focus is to promote the exports of Virginia companies with the goal to grow jobs and increase the state’s tax base. In order to build on the strength of the state’s service sector to grow service exports and the high-paying jobs they support, VEDP developed the guide to exporting services as a resource to service companies.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global technology and specialty materials company, will invest $150 million in its Giles County operation. The company, which manufactures cellulose acetate tow at the plant, will replace its coal-fired boilers with natural gas-fired boilers. The project, in conjunction with other efforts at the site, will enable creation of at least 22 full-time Celanese positions and will require approximately 200 construction workers.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the launch of its free YesVA mobile app available for the iPhone, iPad and Android. The YesVA app is a new, innovative tool for economic development that allows economic developers, allies, clients and consultants to perform site and building searches as well as compare Virginia to other states from a mobile device.

Mobile app features include:

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that HanesBrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI), a global consumer goods company with more than a century of history and a portfolio of leading apparel essentials, will invest $1.6 million in its Patrick County operation. The company will upgrade by adding new high-speed fabric manufacturing equipment at the plant to adjust to market conditions, retaining 215 jobs and adding 50 new jobs.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Phoenix Packaging Operations, LLC, a subsidiary of Grupo Phoenix, will invest $20 million to expand its operation in Pulaski County. The company manufactures thermoformed rigid plastic packaging for customers in the U.S. The project will create 100 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against Arizona for the project.

McLEAN - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Intelsat, the world’s leading provider of satellite services, plans to move its U.S. headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Fairfax County. Upon relocating in mid-2014, Intelsat will move at least 430 employees to Virginia.

Intelsat will lease approximately 188,000 square feet of space in Tysons Tower, a 20-story, state-of-the-art office building that is being built by Macerich (NYSE:MAC) at Tysons Corner Center.

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that NetWitness Corporation, provider of the world’s most powerful network security monitoring platform, will invest $1.1 million to expand its Virginia headquarters and operation in Fairfax County. The project will create at least 50 new jobs.

RICHMOND - Eight companies from across the Commonwealth will graduate Thursday from VEDP’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, touting impressive results from their newly acquired tools to successfully export products and services overseas. The graduating companies will be recognized during a noon luncheon at the downtown Omni Hotel.