Pratt Industries, Inc., a corrugated packaging company, will invest over $20 million to establish a new paper packaging and shipping materials manufacturing operation at the Shell Building in Botetourt County, Virginia.

The facility will be Pratt’s second manufacturing operation in Virginia and will allow the company to increase market share and grow sales of its paper-based packaging and shipping materials within Virginia and the surrounding states. The project is expected to create 50 new jobs.

“Pratt Industries is excited to expand in Virginia,” said COO of Pratt Industries David Dennis. “We are grateful to the Roanoke Regional Partnership, Botetourt County, and VEDP for their efforts to bring Pratt to Botetourt County.”

Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Botetourt County, the Roanoke Regional Partnership, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $300,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Botetourt County with the project. Pratt Industries is eligible for Sales and Use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment, as well as recycling tax credits for the processing of recyclable materials.

“Pratt Industries’ decision to locate a new manufacturing operation at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield is an important win for the Roanoke region and the Commonwealth, and underscores the advantage of having infrastructure in place that accelerates the timeline to production,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “We are proud to partner with an innovative, global manufacturer like Pratt Industries that shares Virginia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. This major investment that will have strong positive impact on the regional economy and help advance Virginia’s thriving manufacturing industry.”

“We are thrilled that Pratt Industries will establish its second Virginia manufacturing operation in Botetourt County, expanding its footprint in the Commonwealth and creating 50 new jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Pratt Industries is at the forefront of sustainable and recyclable packaging, and has led the way in the creation of green-collar jobs with over 8,000 employees worldwide. Advanced manufacturers of this caliber are a welcome addition to Virginia’s corporate roster, and we are confident that Pratt will be a strong addition to the Roanoke region’s booming manufacturing industry cluster.”

Delegate Terry Austin said, “Pratt Industries has quickly established itself as a leader in the packaging industry with its use of 100 percent recycled products, and its presence in Botetourt will complement the recent economic announcements we have had in the past few years. The Botetourt County Shell Building in the Greenfield Industrial Park is the result of dedicated strategic planning, and it is good to see this decades-long vision continue its path towards fruition. Thank you to all of the people and organizations that made this announcement possible.”