Simmons Equipment Company, a manufacturer of world-class battery-powered mining equipment, plans to invest $1 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Tazewell County, Virginia. The project is projected to create more than 30 new jobs over the upcoming years.

“We are very excited about the recent expansion into the Tazewell plant,” said Simmons Equipment CEO Matt Simmons. “This facility will allow us to continue to grow and expand market share in today’s competitive mining market. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to many of the groups and individuals that have helped make this happen, including Tazewell County Economic Development, the Tazewell County IDA, the Board of Supervisors, the Town of Tazewell, the Tobacco Commission, VCEDA, and the Cumberland Plateau Planning District. We are proud to call Southwest Virginia home, and we really appreciate the support from our community.”

S & S Machinery introduced its first battery-powered scoop in 1968. With as high as 80% of the market share in battery-powered scoops, S & S became one of the most successful companies the mining industry has ever seen. Since 2005, Simmons Equipment Company has been built on the foundation of quality, innovation and customer service that made S & S so successful. Simmons is leading the charge in developing safer, more productive machines for today’s miner.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Tazewell County, the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority, and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to secure the project for the Commonwealth. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission also approved up to $1.14 million in funding, which is being invested over time through the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Foundation located in Abingdon, Virginia, for use in the company’s planned R&D and commercialization activities. Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “This expansion is a testament to the great work of Simmons and the outstanding business climate in Tazewell. The addition of these manufacturing jobs will contribute to the resiliency of Southwest Virginia and help us build a new Virginia economy.”

“Today we celebrate the expansion of existing businesses in Virginia and in Tazewell County,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Simmons continues to advance its technology and stands out as a leader in the industry, and we will continue to strengthen our partnership with the company.”

“To see a company expand in this time of a depressed coal industry is a blessing to us all,” said Doyle Rasnick, Chairman of the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority. “Our Industrial Development Authority is proud to work with a company who is driving forward our Southwest Virginia heritage.”