Governor McDonnell Announces Polymer Group, Inc. Expansion In City Of Waynesboro

Richmond, VA - Governor Bob McDonnell recently announced that Polymer Group, Inc. (PGI), one of the world's leading producers of nonwoven fabrics, plans to invest at least $65M to expand its existing facility in the City of Waynesboro. The investment would include the purchase of high-technology equipment to establish a new manufacturing line and increase production, and the expansion of the current building in order to accommodate the new line. The project would also create 41 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project.

"An investment of this magnitude and creation of 41 new jobs is important for Waynesboro and important for the manufacturing sector in Virginia," said Governor McDonnell. "PGI has experienced success in the Commonwealth, and this planned expansion enables the company to increase both production and product capabilities with state-of-the-art new equipment. The project ensures that PGI will continue to build on its progress in Waynesboro."

PGI is a global, technology-driven developer, producer and marketer of engineered materials. With the broadest range of process technologies in the nonwoven fabrics industry, PGI is a global supplier to leading consumer and industrial product manufacturers. The company operates 15 manufacturing and converting facilities in nine countries throughout the world.

Veronica "Ronee" Hagen, Chief Executive Officer of PGI stated that, "This planned expansion in product capability and capacity is part of PGI's ongoing strategy to provide superior solutions to the marketplace and meet our customers' needs. The efforts of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the local Waynesboro officials to address and meet our unique needs through their combined incentive package have allowed us to make this planned expansion possible in Waynesboro."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with both the City of Waynesboro and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $750,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Waynesboro with the project. Governor McDonnell also approved $750,000 in a performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide new job training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Waynesboro Mayor, Timothy D. Williams, noted his enthusiasm for the project and called the expansion a much needed boost for the Waynesboro economy. "I appreciate the cooperative effort on the part of representatives of PGI, the Commonwealth and the City of Waynesboro to land this expansion. Our community is proud of its manufacturing heritage and we believe that PGI will help us secure a healthy future in the manufacturing sector."

SOURCE: Virginia Economic Development Partnership