Long-term strategy aims to increase competitiveness of Virginia businesses in international marketplace, grow exports by 50 percent

NORFOLK—Governor Ralph Northam today announced the first ever comprehensive International Trade Strategic Plan for Virginia. The plan lays out an aggressive goal to expand the Commonwealth’s international trade output by 50 percent over the next 15 years, increasing Virginia’s position from 41st in exports per capita to the top 20 states for exports per capita by 2035.

Company to expand research and development operation

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK), a leading global healthcare company, will invest $16.7 million to expand its consumer healthcare research and development center in the City of Richmond. GSK chose Virginia as one of three R&D laboratory hubs for their global Consumer Healthcare business and plans to add approximately 150 new jobs at the site.

Company to invest $57.8 million to establish new walk-in step van assembly operation in former IKEA plant

DANVILLE—Governor Ralph Northam announced today that Morgan Olson, LLC, North America’s leading manufacturer of all-aluminum walk-in step vans, will invest $57.8 million to establish a new walk-in step van assembly operation in a 925,000-square-foot plant in Danville-Pittsylvania County currently owned by IKEA. Virginia successfully competed against Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ohio for the project, which will create 703 new jobs.

Company to expand its headquarters operation

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that DroneUp, a web and mobile platform for on-demand drone pilot services, will invest $130,000 to expand its headquarters operation in Virginia Beach. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project, which will create 41 new jobs.

Company to relocate warehouse operations

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that SRP Companies, a leading supplier to more than 60,000 retailers nationwide, will invest $1.16 million to relocate a substantial portion of its warehouse operations from Philadelphia, Utah, and Oklahoma to the City of Virginia Beach.

Company to invest $350,000 to establish new Fleet Operating Center

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Aeronyde Corporation, an industry leader in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) into a safe and secure full-service commercial drone system, will invest $350,000 to establish a new drone operations command and control center in the City of Covington. Virginia successfully competed with California and Florida for the project, which will create 25 new jobs. 

Company to establish new customer service center

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Echo World Communications, LLC, a newly formed company in Virginia, will invest $550,000 to establish a customer service center in Brunswick County. The company will receive funding from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) to support the hiring and training of 153 new employees.

Company to invest $31.75 million and create 126 new jobs to nearly triple lumber production

Company to expand manufacturing facility, create 13 new jobs

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Blue Ridge Industries, Inc. (BRI), a custom plastic injection molder and assembler of plastic parts, will invest $3.7 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Frederick County. The project will create 13 new jobs in engineering, production, and maintenance.

Company to invest $10 million, establish U.S. headquarters

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Block.one, a leader in providing high-performance blockchain software, will invest $10 million and establish its U.S. headquarters in Arlington County. Virginia successfully competed with Washington, D.C. for the project, which will create 170 new jobs over a period of three years.