RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the chief United States official on international trade, opened the 67th Virginia Conference on World Trade in Norfolk this morning. In his first public event after publication of the full Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) text, Ambassador Froman highlighted how Made-in-America exports are helping the state’s economy and how the TPP will help to grow those benefits.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that several Virginia companies anticipate business success following participation in the 2015 Southeast Asia Trade Mission that took place October 26-30, 2015. VEDP led the Virginia delegation that included Cask LLC; ComSonics, Inc.; MarkLogic Corporation; Northland Forest Products; Pixia Corp; and Trex Company, Inc. The countries visited were Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

- Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Microsoft Corp. will invest $402.4 million to expand its data center site in Mecklenburg County and increase capacity to serve its growing customer base. Virginia successfully competed against other sites in the U.S. for the project, which will create 42 new jobs. Microsoft’s original project in 2010 involved an investment of up to $499 million and 50 new jobs. In 2011 the company invested an additional $150 million to expand the site, and in 2013 announced a $348 million expansion.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that Euclid Systems Corporation received the 2015 Commonwealth of Virginia Governor’s Award for Excellence in International Trade. The award was presented by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones at the Virginia Conference on World Trade in Norfolk. Euclid System Corporation, headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, manufactures specialty contact lenses for the treatment of myopia (nearsightedness).

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Carfax®, the leading provider of vehicle history information for buyers, sellers, and owners of pre-owned cars in the United States, will invest $5 million to expand its headquarters in Fairfax County, creating 120 new jobs. The company will also invest $10.8 million to upgrade its data center operation in Loudoun County.

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that KmX Chemical Corporation will invest $2.075 million to expand its solvent reclamation facility in Accomack County. KmX began development of specialty membranes for separation and recovery of valuable chemicals and water treatment in 2005, and will ramp up production and R&D on new membrane technologies. The project will create 16 new jobs paying above the average prevailing wage in the region.

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Camrett Logistics Inc., a full service third party logistics (3PL) company that serves Virginia and the surrounding region, will invest $2.125 million to expand its operation in Pulaski County. The project will create 38 new jobs.

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc., a full-service ship repair facility and home of America’s largest marine travel lift, will invest over $30 million to expand its operation in the City of Norfolk, creating 51 new jobs. The company will add a larger dry dock for working on today’s largest ships, and also dredge and improve the channel and bulkhead. Colonna’s Shipyard is located in the historic Berkley section of Norfolk and is the oldest continuous family-owned and operated private shipyard in the United States.

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today the 50th anniversary of the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP). Created in 1965 as part of the Industrial Training division of the Virginia Community College System, the program provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs or experiencing technological change. As a business development incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource development costs of new and expanding companies.

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Harris Teeter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), will invest $95 million to establish a 1.5 million-square-foot food distribution operation in Caroline County, of which the first phase will be at least 650,000 square feet. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project, which will create 400 new jobs.