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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Automotive Supplier Continental Invests $150 Million To Expand Newport News, Virginia, Manufacturing Hub

08/26/2014
Continental, a leading international automotive supplier, will invest approximately $150 million to expand its operation in Newport News, Virginia. The investment will start up turbocharger production and increase production of Continental’s gasoline high pressure injector, fuel rail and pump assembly lines. This is the first time Continental plans to produce turbochargers in the U.S.

“As one of Continental’s global Lead Plants and Centers of Expertise for powertrain technology, the Newport News manufacturing facility is an essential part of our overall business strategy as we look to grow business here and leverage some of the region’s best talent,” said Jeff Klei, President, Continental North America. “Thanks to the generous support of state and local officials, we are pleased to make an investment that plans to introduce the assembly of turbochargers to North America and increase our overall production of powertrain technologies in Newport News.”

Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “Outcompeting other states and countries for high-tech manufacturing projects is key to building a new Virginia economy. Continental has been an outstanding corporate partner to the City of Newport News for more than 40 years, and I am eager to help the company expand further to capitalize on Virginia’s outstanding business climate, our world class workforce and the unrivaled access to global markets that Newport News offers through the Port of Virginia. We thank the company for this significant investment and the creation of hundreds of new jobs in Newport News.”

“This level of investment demonstrates Continental’s solid commitment to Newport News and Virginia, and the future longevity of the operation,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “This project and the hundreds of new jobs represent great progress in our efforts to diversify Virginia’s economy and create jobs of the future.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Newport News and the Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $2 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Newport News with the project. The Governor also approved a $4 million performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies.

In addition, the company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program. Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The company is eligible to participate in the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and will also be eligible for Sales and Use Tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment.

“We’re proud of the City’s long-standing relationship with Continental,” said Florence G. Kingston, Director of Development, City of Newport News. “The company’s trust in our continually-evolving, tech-savvy workforce and our ability to foster a superior business environment prove that Newport News continues to be a destination for advanced manufacturing.”

“This announcement speaks to Virginia’s ability to compete in the global marketplace and create a significant number of jobs as a result,” said John Reinhart, CEO/Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “We are always pleased when a Virginia-based company and current Port customer chooses to reinvest in Virginia and does so, in part, because of the benefits it gets by moving its cargo across the Port of Virginia. We welcome the opportunity to partner with Continental on this expansion by serving as its international trade gateway and by providing funding through the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant Program and the Virginia Port Tax Credits.”

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