RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Harrisonburg company, Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. (TSSI), into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Virginia Beach company, SteelMaster® Buildings, LLC, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Blacksburg company, Moog Components Group, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a South Boston company, Hilden America, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Louisa County company, BIO-CAT, Inc. of Troy, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Progress Printing will invest $15.8 million to expand in Campbell County. The project adds equipment to double print capacity, and will create 10 new jobs in 30 months.

RICHMOND - A combined 14 companies from across the Commonwealth will graduate Thursday from two state export programs, 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 Thursday at the Richmond Crowne Plaza Hotel. Michael Newman, Vice President, International Sales, Optical Cable Corporation, will serve as the keynote speaker.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Rogers Foam Corporation, a fabricator of engineered foam products, will invest $1.4 million to open a manufacturing facility in Scott County, creating 50 new jobs.

“These new jobs are great news as we continue to work to further diversify the economy of southwest Virginia,” Governor Kaine said. “This impressive global company was attracted to the region because Virginia offers a high quality of life for employees, a trained workforce, and proximity to some of the company’s major customers.”

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia again led the nation in Forbes.com’s “Best States for Business” ranking. In its second year, the review examines multiple objective measurements, including business cost, regulatory climate, quality of the workforce, and economic growth. Forbes.com is the official Internet site of the Forbes family of business publications.

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that Bostwick Laboratories™, a medical laboratory providing services to physicians, patients and managed care organizations, will invest $4.6 million to expand its Henrico County headquarters facility. The expansion will create 600 new jobs over the next three years.