RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner will lead two back-to-back international trade missions, departing Virginia on Saturday. The first, to Japan, is a series of confidential recruitment meetings. Then, on April 24th, the Governor kicks off a six-day trade mission to India.

The Governor will be accompanied in India by leaders of Virginia companies, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Michael J. Schewel, and representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The delegation will visit New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai (Bombay).

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Tecton Products LLC, a manufacturer of composite products, will invest $6.5 million to open its first Virginia plant in Roanoke County. The project will initially create 58 new jobs that include machine operators, engineers and technical associates. Virginia successfully competed against North Dakota for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Philip Morris USA will invest about $300 million to open a research and technology center in the City of Richmond. The project will create 500 new jobs. Positions include scientists, lab technicians and lab support with an average salary significantly higher than the city’s prevailing wage. The center will allow the company to develop new technologies that improve the products it currently manufactures, and may lead to innovative new products.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that TWM Cabling Solutions, Inc. will invest $1.6 million and create 50 new jobs in the City of Danville. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Lindab USA, an international group that develops, manufactures and markets sheet metal products and system solutions, will invest $6 million to relocate its corporate headquarters from Stamford, Connecticut to its existing Portsmouth, Virginia manufacturing facility. The expansion will add 57 new jobs over three years to the current workforce of 115. Virginia successfully competed with Connecticut, Florida, and Tennessee for the project.

LEBANON - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Designer Wood Tile & Finishing Inc. will invest $4.2 million to open a pre-finished hardwood flooring business in Russell County. The project will result in 155 new jobs for Southwest Virginians. Virginia successfully competed with Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee for the project.

RICHMOND - Mark R. Kilduff, Executive Director for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, announced Friday that he will retire at the conclusion of his four-year contract, which expires in June. Kilduff, a 37-year state veteran, has served as Executive Director since May 1999. The announcement was made during VEDP’s Board of Directors quarterly meeting. 

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Narricot Industries, LP, a leading manufacturer of side impact airbags and polyester and nylon webbing products for the automotive and defense industries, will invest a total of $20 million to expand its Southampton County facility and ramp up its Mecklenburg County facility. This project will result in the creation of 138 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Strongwell Corporation will invest $4 million and create 65 new jobs to expand its Highlands manufacturing facility near Abingdon. The company, a fiber reinforced plastics and polymer concrete manufacturer, will begin production of its Quazite® polymer concrete products at the Highlands facility. The expansion is driven by the demand for Quazite® polymer concrete boxes, which are used to house telecommunications lines and equipment.

RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Gerdau Ameristeel will invest $5 million and create 50 new jobs in King George County with the relocation of a Baltimore, Maryland manufacturing plant. Gerdau Ameristeel is one of the largest producers of reinforcing steel in the United States. Virginia successfully competed with the District of Columbia, Maryland, and North Carolina for the project.