| February 23, 2012 |
Montgomery County, Va. – Montgomery County was one of the busiest places in all of Virginia last year. In 2011, seven new or expanding companies announced plans to invest $43.5 million and create 572 new jobs in the community. Out of 134 counties/cities in Virginia, Montgomery County ranked 8th for job creation, 15th for investment and tied for 8th most number of business announcements.
These findings are according to a recent analysis of data contained in the Virginia Announcements Database by the Montgomery County Economic Development Department. The database – which is maintained by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership - tracks direct investments and new jobs created in Virginia as a result of publicly announced plans by new or expanding companies who have a substantial customer base outside the state - also known as ‘basic employers.’
According to the analysis, 2011 was one of the best years in recent memory for business announcements in Montgomery County and the fourth year that planned job creation has increased. The year marked both the most planned job creation since 2001 (700 jobs) and highest announced investment since 2004 ($44.1 million).
Year | Count | New Jobs | Investment (M$) |
2011 | 7 | 572 | $43.5 |
2010 | 6 | 320 | $3.5 |
2009 | 4 | 241 | $7.6 |
2008 | 4 | 146 | $12.8 |
2007 | 2 | 24 | $0.4 |
2006 | 9 | 300 | $21.1 |
2005 | 6 | 167 | $6.5 |
2004 | 7 | 466 | $44.1 |
2003 | 8 | 72 | $15.2 |
2002 | 2 | 105 | $0.0 |
2001 | 4 | 700 | $32.1 |
| Source: Virginia Announcements Database, 2/23/2012 | |||
Montgomery County’s 2011 totals were heavily influenced by three major announcements that occurred during 2011:
Other companies announcing expansion plans in Montgomery County included CCS, Inc., and its two subsidiaries – FoxGuard Solutions and Qualtrax – of Christiansburg, as well as Prime Photonics of Blacksburg.
In addition to Montgomery County, the entire region posted impressive business announcement totals last year. In 2011, 30 new or expanding companies announced plans to create 1,671 jobs and invest $404.2 million in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.
The City of Covington had just one business announcement in 2011 – MeadWestvaco Corp. – but led the region with $285 million in newly planned investment. The next closest investment totals were Montgomery County with $43.5 million and Botetourt County with $35.7 million.
New job announcements were primarily concentrated in four counties/cities within the Roanoke and New River Valleys. Ninety-five percent of the region's new jobs were announced in Montgomery County (572 jobs), Botetourt County (426 jobs), Roanoke City (411 jobs) and Pulaski County (181 jobs).
Business Announcements by County/City, Roanoke & New River Valleys, 2011. | ||||
County/City | Company | Business Type | New Jobs | Investment (M$) |
Botetourt County | 426 | $35.68 | ||
Altec Industries, Inc. | Truck-mounted mobile equipment manufacturing | 48 | $0.52 | |
Arkay Packaging Corp. | Consumer products packaging | 25 | $7.50 | |
Canatal Steel USA, Inc. | Fabricates and installs steel beams | 100 | $1.00 | |
Dynax America Corporation | Automobile transmission parts | 95 | $15.66 | |
FCTech | Manufactures specialty optical fiber and cables | 25 | $5.00 | |
TREAD Corporation | Manufactures explosives-handling equipment and bulk trucks | 100 | $5.00 | |
Virginia Forge Company | Automotive wheel bearing braces | 33 | $1.00 | |
Covington City | 0 | $285.00 | ||
MeadWestvaco Corp. | Bleached paperboard | 0 | $285.00 | |
Floyd County | 0 | $4.3 | ||
Hollingsworth & Vose Company | Non-woven fabrics for the window covering industry | 0 | $4.3 | |
Montgomery County | 572 | $43.50 | ||
Backcountry.com | Online retailer of outdoor gear; East Coast fulfillment center | 216 | $20.50 | |
CCS, Inc. | Designs, manufactures, and integrates industrial and embedded computers | 40 | $1.00 | |
Federal-Mogul Corporation | Automotive engine bearing manufacturing | 50 | $10.00 | |
FoxGuard Solutions, Inc. | Provides compliance and cyber security solutions to critical infrastructure and key resources sectors | 20 | $1.00 | |
Modea | Designs product-focused media; advertising agency | 200 | $10.00 | |
Prime Photonics | Designs and manufactures photonic sensor systems | 36 | $0.00 | |
Qualtrax, Inc. | Compliance management software | 10 | $1.00 | |
Pulaski County | 181 | $21.80 | ||
BimmerWorld | Distributes specialized automotive racing parts and equipment | 36 | $2.50 | |
Blue Bird Resins | Processes used industrial plastic | 25 | $0.00 | |
James Hardie | Distribution operations; fiber-cement siding | 5 | $1.00 | |
Phoenix Packaging Operations, LLC | Manufactures thermoformed rigid plastic packaging | 100 | $17.50 | |
Technical Service Group | Manufactures equipment and presses for the brake pad industry | 15 | $0.75 | |
Radford City | 20 | $3.00 | ||
TECHLAB, Inc. | Develops, manufactures, and distributes medical diagnostic products | 20 | $3.00 | |
Roanoke City | 411 | $8.10 | ||
Corvesta Services, Inc. | Dental benefits and claims administration | 35 | $0.10 | |
FreightCar America, Inc. | Manufactures railroad freight cars | 200 | $0.00 | |
Maxx Performance | Food formulation technologies; R&D of flavoring ingredients | 15 | $0.70 | |
Mercury Data Exchange | Real-time Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) solutions for the dental insurance industry | 10 | $0.10 | |
Precision Technology USA, Inc. | Manufactures industrial linear motion actuators | 26 | $0.20 | |
UnitedHealth Group | Customer support center; health insurance provider | 125 | $7.00 | |
Roanoke County | 40 | $2.68 | ||
Atlas Logistics | Warehouse/distribution; refrigerated foods | 40 | $2.68 | |
Salem City | 21 | $0.20 | ||
Integrated Textile Solutions, Inc. | Manufactures industrial, military, and specialty textile products and apparel | 21 | $0.20 | |
Total | 1,671 | $404.21 | ||
| Source: Virginia Announcements Database, 2/23/2012 | ||||
About Us
The Montgomery County, Virginia Economic Development Department's mission is to improve the quality of life throughout Montgomery County, including the incorporated areas of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, by encouraging positive economic growth that 1) creates meaningful career opportunities, 2) expands the commercial tax base, and 3) protects our enviable way of life. Learn More
The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development (MCDED) offers a number of free and confidential services and resources to help companies large and small. We welcome the opportunity to provide direct assistance to companies interested in starting, expanding or relocating a business in Montgomery County, Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Contact us today!
