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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Balchem Corporation Plans $10 Million Investment in Establishing Virginia Manufacturing Facility

05/03/2012
Balchem Corporation, a producer animal nutrition and health care products, plans to invest $10 million on establishing a manufacturing facility at the Alleghany Regional Commerce Center in Covington, Virginia.

Governor Bob McDonnell said the Balchem will create 55 new jobs over the next 2 to 3 years.

"We are committed to serving our ever expanding customer base with high quality, industry leading encapsulated nutrients," said Dana Putnam, Vice President and General Manager of Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health. "This new facility and our recent break-through process innovations provide cost effective solutions for greater producer profitability."

The planned expansion will more than double the firm's output capacity for the animal nutrition and health ruminant sector focusing on its new and improved encapsulation technology, she said. The Virginia plant expansion is scheduled to be completed later this fall. The new plant complements an expansion of its Verona, Missouri plant and will leverage breakthrough manufacturing technologies that were developed and deployed there last summer, she added.

Governor McDonnell said, "Alleghany County proved to be an ideal location for Balchem Corporation's first Virginia operation. The strategic location with direct access to Interstates 64 and 81 allows the company to easily serve its domestic customer base in the Northeast and Midwest, and serves as close port proximity for its growing international markets. In addition, the region offers an incredibly talented and ready labor force. Balchem will help contribute to the diversification of Alleghany's manufacturing sector."

"Balchem Corporation's new manufacturing operation is welcome news for an area that is continuing to rebound economically," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "Virginia's business cost advantages put us ahead of the competition, and Alleghany County offered the infrastructure and workforce to meet the company's needs."

Alleghany County, Roanoke Regional Partnership, Virginia Economic Development, and the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development all worked to attract the firm, which will operate from a 68,000 square foot facility at the county-owned Allegany Regional Commerce Center, at Commerce Center and Winterberry Ave in Covington, Virginia. The Center is located both in an Enterprise Zone and Foreign Trade Zone, making the firm eligible for tax credits and abatements.

Among incentives offered to the firm the Governor's Opportunity Fund approved a $150,000 grant to help Alleghany County attract the manufacturer. In addition the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, through the state Department of Business Assistance will provide funding for the company's job recruitment and training activities.

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