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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Eastman Chemical Company Invests $40 Million To Expand Its Henry County, Virginia, Manufacturing Campus

09/25/2013
A global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day, Eastman Chemical Company, will invest $40 million over the next three years to expand its manufacturing operation in Henry County, Virginia.

"Eastman's investment in Henry County will target specific initiatives and include infrastructure and technology upgrades, warehousing improvements, environmental, safety and reliability enhancements and production capacity expansions to support growth. To enable each of these, Eastman anticipates an increased need for skilled employees. The partnerships with Patrick Henry Community College and New College Institute are critical for successful workforce development,” Mark Costa, President of Eastman said.

According to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s Office, Eastman acquired the site in 2012 and became the leading global manufacturer of window films for the automotive and architectural markets. The company's facility in Henry County is one of the largest and most integrated window and performance-coated film manufacturing sites in the world. The investment in Henry County is expected to create 25 new jobs.

Gov. McDonnell said, "An investment of this caliber from a major employer in Henry County is significant for Southern Virginia. Eastman's Henry County operations are unique in their ability to take the manufacturing process from raw materials all the way to a finished product. The decision to invest will not only bring new jobs, but will help support the development of innovative, energy-saving product applications to grow Eastman's performance films business. Eastman's commitment is a great testament to the company's long-term success in Virginia.

"For more than 50 years, this film manufacturing plant has been a vital corporation in Henry County," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "The support Eastman Chemical Company receives from the local community, Patrick Henry Community College and the New College Institute is vital to developing a more skilled workforce to support manufacturing. We are confident that with this investment and expansion, Eastman's operation that employs approximately 500 will continue to thrive in Southern Virginia."

As an incentive, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $75,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Henry County with the project.

In addition, The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $230,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment and training activities.

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