(The Center Square) — It’s not every day that a major employer descends on a rural county planning to invest over $1 billion into a new manufacturing facility and over 2,000 intended jobs.
However, that’s exactly what happened Wednesday for Virginia’s Pittsylvania County. Microporous, a leading manufacturer of battery separators, announced its plans to expand into the commonwealth and build over 1 million square feet of facilities on the Southern Virginia Megasite. The company, which is headquartered in Tennessee and has a location in Austria, ultimately chose Virginia over North Carolina for its new facility.
“With the new facility in Berry Hill, Microporous is taking a major step toward the future of energy storage technology,” said Microporous CEO John Reeves. “Microporous is dedicated to developing the local workforce, investing in the community to improve opportunities for the local economy, and creating a better tomorrow for everyone.”
The company’s decision inspired statements from state and local leadership on what the opportunity means for the region and the state.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and former governor Sen. Mark Warner remarked that it would help position Virginia as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
“This historic $1.35 billion investment by Microporous in Pittsylvania County marks a new chapter in Virginia’s incredible advanced manufacturing story,” Youngkin said. “This project not only brings over 2,000 new jobs to Southside Virginia, but also positions the Commonwealth at the forefront of our nation’s resurgence in manufacturing.”
“Microporous’ selection of Pittsylvania County is a massive win for Southside and the entire Commonwealth,” Warner said. The new facility would, he added, “also help to continue to position Virginia as the advanced manufacturing hub of the United States.”
The project is partially funded by a more than $60 million economic incentive grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia and a $100 million grant Microporous secured from the U.S. Department of Energy to help America pursue greener forms of energy.
The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission – which operates entirely on funds from the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement – also contributed nearly $35 million to the development of the Southern Virginia Megasite since 2008 and “approved up to $25 million in low-interest financing to bring major natural gas service to the project.”
The company may also qualify for some grants from the Port of Virginia, and the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program will provide recruitment and training services to Microporous’s new facility.
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Darrell Dalton also celebrated Microporous’s decision.
“It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome Microporous to the Southern Virginia Megasite and Pittsylvania County,” Dalton said in a statement. “We look forward to many years of Microporous’ growth and success and Pittsylvania County is honored to be part of that journey.”
