Blue Ridge Fiberboard plans to invest $2 million to improve efficiency at its Danville plant.
The Danville Office of Economic Development announced the investment Thursday at the former Masonite plant.
Blue Ridge Fiberboard employs 119 people at its plant at 250 Knight Celotex Way, the news release said. The company makes roofing, soundproofing and exterior sheathing products.
“The Tobacco Commission recently invested $75,000 in the form of a Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund grant to help with the current expansion,” Del. Danny Marshall said in a news release.
“An important additional impact to our local economy is the extra business created for other companies as Blue Ridge procures materials and services from local sources. This expansion is a solid economic win for our area.”
The City of Danville and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission worked with Blue Ridge Fiberboard for the improvements to the plant.
W.R. Meadows Inc. began operations at the plant in December 2009 under the Blue Ridge Fiberboard name after it purchased the former Knight-Celotex facility in a bankruptcy auction.
In early 2016, the company added employees and began operating around the clock to meet increased demand, the news release said.
Mark Custer, plant manager said in a news release the city and the region’s economic development programs support the growth of existing companies.
“ … The success of the plant would not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of our employees. As the demand for our product grows our employees continue to meet the challenge,” he said.
The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce helped the company with the Virginia Workforce Development Program and the Virginia Jobs Investment Program to recruit and train employees, the news release said.
“Blue Ridge Fiberboard represents the kind of company that makes our community successful. It quietly goes about its business, employing our citizens and making the daily contributions to Danville’s economy that drives local prosperity,” Danville Mayor John Gilstrap said in a news release.
Laurie Moran, president and CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce said in the news release the growth of companies like Blue Ridge Fiberboard benefits the region.
“Our existing industries are a vital component of this region’s economic success,” she said in the release.
