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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Smiley’s Ice Cream Plans Rockingham County, Virginia, Frosted Treat Manufacturing Plant

02/01/2021
Smiley’s Ice Cream, a producer of premium, homemade-style ice cream, will build a $1.15 million ice cream manufacturing facility and retail store in Rockingham County, Virginia.

As part of this expansion, the locally-owned company will source an additional 18,000 gallons of Virginia-produced dairy and an additional 2,500 pounds of Virginia-grown fruits over the next three years.

“Smiley’s Ice Cream is very grateful to receive this grant from Rockingham County and the Commonwealth,” said owner Derek Smiley. “This grant will help with the building of a truly one-of-a-kind ice cream destination for the Town of Bridgewater. We take great pride in supporting Virginia’s local farms by purchasing locally many of the fresh fruits used to make our ice cream and understand the fresh milk and cream coming from Mt. Crawford Creamery is the backbone of our great ice cream.”

The Commonwealth is partnering with Rockingham County and the Rockingham County Economic Development Authority on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). Governor Northam approved a $20,000 grant from the AFID Fund to secure the project for Virginia, which Rockingham County will match with local funds.

“We are delighted to support this expansion by Smiley’s Ice Cream, a business that has found its sweet spot by bringing together entrepreneurship, Virginia-grown ingredients, and agritourism in the Shenandoah Valley,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “The company’s commitment to investing in Virginia farmers and agricultural products will further strengthen this rural economy and create exciting new opportunities in Rockingham County for visitors and residents alike.”

“Through their commitment to sourcing local fruits and 100 percent of their dairy products from Virginia, Smiley’s is ensuring that their success also supports Virginia’s agricultural community,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. “I am pleased we could partner with Rockingham County through the AFID program to support this expansion and increase market opportunities for Shenandoah Valley farmers.”

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