A Search for Talent Leads England Furniture to Virginia
Summary
- In 2017, Tennessee’s England Furniture began an East Coast search for a home for its planned expansion.
- While they considered several sites, Lee County in Southwest Virginia met all of the company's needs needs.
- The space, location, higher education partnerships, and workforce development all aligned with England Furniture’s requirements.
- Thanks to a quick turnaround and competitive bid which included multiple partners, England Furniture announced Lee County as the location of its new facility in 2018.
England Furniture has crafted quality upholstered furniture since 1964. Founded by brothers Dwight and Eugene England and their father Charles, the company has grown dramatically over more than six decades. Today, its commitment to craftsmanship and wide selection has fueled a growing demand for their custom products.
By 2017, it was time for an East Coast expansion. The management team, headquartered in Tennessee, was eager to find a location with the space and dedicated workforce available to accommodate continued growth.
Next Door Neighbors
England Furniture had several locations in mind, including Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. However, it was Southwest Virginia that caught their attention. The area boasted a large, vacant facility within 60 miles of its existing headquarters and accessibility to interstate highways, essential for servicing new markets.
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) quickly identified the building in question, and recommended the vacant, 30,000-sq.-ft. facility in Lee County. England Furniture met with local officials that same month, an encouraging sign that the company had found a welcoming new home in Virginia.
Additionally, England Furniture has maintained a commitment to employing residents of Appalachia. Lee County sits in close proximity to its existing Tennessee headquarters, allowing the company to access new talent while staying true to its target workforce.
We are delighted to expand our operations into the great state of Virginia. We would like to thank the state and its various agencies for their support, cooperation, and partnership in this endeavor, and we look forward to operating in Lee County and becoming involved in the community.
Terry England, President, England Furniture
A Tapestry of Talent
The manufacturing industry continues to be a pillar of Southwest Virginia’s economy; an industry supported by a skilled extended labor force of over 450,000. The region also works closely with three local community colleges — Mountain Empire, Southwest Virginia, and Virginia Highlands — along with the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing to build industry-driven training programs. These partnerships ensure that the regional workforce remains prepared for in-demand jobs.
A Manufacturing Win
In March 2018, England Furniture announced its new manufacturing facility in Lee County, with the aim of creating 79 new jobs within five years. The many community partners were key to England’s decision.
Virginia worked with VCEDA, Lee County, and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to develop a competitive package and quickly prepare the vacant facility. State and local partners such as the Virginia Employment Commission, Southwest Virginia Workforce Board, and Mountain Empire Community College proactively identified available regional talent, held a job fair, and assisted with training.
By 2019, the company had hired 65 new employees to date, surpassing its four-year job projection in just a year. With its sustainable talent pipeline, supportive educational institutions, space for growth, and strategic location, Lee County continues to supply England Furniture and other high-caliber manufacturers with the skilled workforce they need to grow and thrive.
England Furniture by the numbers
years since England Furniture's founding in Tennessee
capital investment into England's Lee County facility
employees hired at the facility within a year
Meet your
industry partners
Kevin leads strategic project engagement and investment attraction, connecting companies with Virginia’s energy ecosystem to support expansion and long-term industry growth.
Antje advises international companies on how best to expand operations into the U.S. in general and Virginia in particular, providing expert guidance on key topics, from site selection to tax incentives. She oversees VEDP’s offices in Europe, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
