MELD PrintWorks CEO Nanci Hardwick and President Larry Vicari join Montgomery County Economic Development's Brian Hamilton and Brenda Rigney on the future site of MELD PrintWorks in Falling Branch Corporate Park.

CHRISTIANSBURG, VA, Oct. 16, 2026 - MELD PrintWorks Corporation will soon expand with a $3 million investment in the construction of a new additive manufacturing facility located in Montgomery County’s Falling Branch Corporate Park.  

The roughly 12,000-square-foot facility will be constructed on the same property as Aeroprobe Corporation and MELD Manufacturing Corporation, all owned by CEO Nanci Hardwick, and will allow MELD Printworks to scale up the manufacturing of large components.

“This building will facilitate bigger parts made by larger MELD metal printers,” said Hardwick. “This investment in Montgomery County, Virginia reflects the rich resources of our community, where manufacturing is celebrated and technology is critical.”

Utilizing the patented MELD solid-state metal manufacturing process, MELD PrintWorks Corporation creates high-performance components made of various metal alloys that are used by industries such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and shipbuilding.

“Our trajectory over the last few years has been driven entirely by our customers’ needs for reliable, open-atmosphere metal printing that side-steps traditional casting vulnerabilities. This dedicated new facility will allow us to scale operations, implement enhanced quality control architectures, and provide our customers with high-value components at unmatched lead times,” said Larry Vicari, President of MELD PrintWorks.

Montgomery County will partner with MELD PrintWorks on the expansion with a one-time economic development grant through the Montgomery County Economic Development Authority for site infrastructure and service installation, stormwater management compliance, and fees associated with connections, permitting and inspections.

Montgomery County has been proud to support the continued growth of all three companies, beginning with providing Aeroprobe Corporation with free land in Falling Branch Corporate Park as they expanded from their original location in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in 2014. The Economic Development Department also assisted MELD PrintWorks in 2023 with finding and rezoning their current location on National Drive in Christiansburg.

MELD PrintWorks will construct their new custom-designed facility next to an existing building housing both Aeroprobe Corporation and MELD Manufacturing Corporation in Falling Branch Corporate Park, bringing all three of CEO Nanci Hardwick's companies together on the same site. 

About MELD PrintWorks

MELD PrintWorks Corporation utilizes the innovative MELD process to deliver high-performance components in various metal alloys, catering to industries that demand precision and durability. Specializing in aluminum, titanium, and copper, MELD PrintWorks delivers large, high-value metal components with reduced lead times. The MELD process is an additive manufacturing technique that enables the solid-state deposition of metals, bypassing the melting stage and preserving material integrity. This approach yields components that are free from porosity and cracking, offering superior strength and durability. MELD PrintWorks leverages this technology to manufacture large metal parts for industries including defense, aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding. For more information about MELD PrintWorks Corporation, please visit www.meldprintworks.com.

About Us

Montgomery County, Virginia - home of Virginia Tech and the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg - is a progressive, technology-driven community with an abundance of outdoor amenities. The Montgomery County Economic Development Department actively supports the startup, retention and expansion of companies in Montgomery County as well as the recruitment of new businesses to the community.  To learn more, visit www.YesMontgomeryVA.org.