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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Traditional Medicinals Eyes Rocky Mount, Virginia, for East Coast Operations Hub

01/22/2020
Traditional Medicinals, the leading seller of wellness tea in the United States, will invest $29.7 million to establish an East Coast herbal tea manufacturing and processing operation in the Summit View Business Park in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The project is expected to create 56 new jobs in Franklin County.

The company will build a state-of-the-art, 125,000-square-foot facility to increase production and market share.

“It was incredibly important that we found a location that embodied our company values,” said Blair Kellison, CEO of Traditional Medicinals. “We’ve worked for decades to ensure that the work we do positively impacts both the environment and the people in the communities where we do business, both on a local level and in the 42 countries where we purchase herbs. We are proud to become a part of Franklin County and the greater Roanoke community and look forward to making a positive social business impact here.”

“Traditional Medicinals’ significant investment is the largest in Franklin County’s Summit View Business Park,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “This industry-leading company’s decision to locate its East Coast operation in Franklin County gives Traditional Medicinals direct access to the Port of Virginia, enabling the company to import international herbs and export its final products overseas. This is also an important project as Virginia works to make a name for itself in the coffee and tea industry.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Franklin County and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Ralph Northam approved a $350,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Franklin County with the project. In addition, Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission has approved a grant for $245,000 from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund for the project. The company is also eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

Support for Traditional Medicinals’ job creation will be also provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a new workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System, with funding support from the Northam administration and the Virginia General Assembly.

“Traditional Medicinals is a world-class company, and Franklin County is extremely excited for them to join our business community and the growing list of firms that call the Summit View Business Park home,” said Franklin County Board of Supervisors Chairman Leland Mitchell. “Summit View was strategically developed to better attract companies that create high-paying jobs, invest capital in our economy, and become leaders in the community. Traditional Medicinals meets all of these requirements and more. It is gratifying to see the County’s vision coming to life and we thank Traditional Medicinals for their partnership and their trust in Franklin County.”

“The Port of Virginia welcomes Traditional Medicinals to Virginia and to the state’s growing coffee and tea manufacturing industry,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “We understand that the safe, efficient movement of cargo is important to the success of Traditional Medicinals, this growing industry, and the Virginia economy. The Port has helped to nurture the growth of this industry for years by providing access to world markets and working with its leaders to support expansion. We are looking forward to a long and collaborative relationship with Traditional Medicinals.”

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