PRESS RELEASE FROM PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY:
Download the full release from Pittsylvania County here: Staunton River Groundbreaking Press Release, July 14, 2021
Staunton River Plastics Breaks Ground on New Facility in Hurt HURT. VIRGINIA – Many local and state elected officials and community leaders joined Staunton River Plastics for a groundbreaking ceremony for its new 250,000-square-foot facility in Hurt. Staunton River Plastics has committed to investing $34 million to build and equip the new facility in Hurt, where more than 200 people will be employed.
“This important project is a testament to why Virginia continues to be recognized as the best place to do business,” said Governor Northam. “It’s great to join Staunton River Plastics to break ground on a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hurt that will bring good-paying, full-time jobs and economic opportunity to the residents of Danville-Pittsylvania County.”
“We are excited that Staunton River Plastics will be the first tenant in the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “The need for polymer processing continues to grow, and we thank Staunton River Plastics for its confidence in the Commonwealth and the creation of over 200 new jobs.”
Staunton River Plastics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rage Corporation, a Hilliard, Ohio-based plastics manufacturer specializing in products used in the everyday beauty and healthcare industry. At this new plant, which is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2022, Staunton River Plastics will manufacture parts for a long-term contract with a Fortune 500 company.
“Staunton River Plastics is excited to break ground on its new state-of-the-art facility and join the Southern Virginia Region business community,” said future Staunton River Plastics Plant Manager Greg Wood. “This new operation will provide opportunities for many in the area to be part of a growing business of injection molded plastics. Having a broad selection of talented people in the area, combined with the availability of advanced training programs through local and regional school systems, was a major factor in choosing this location for our production facility. We look forward to being a positive addition to the community of Hurt, Virginia.”
Staunton River Plastics is the first tenant of the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt. Home of the textile giant Burlington Industries until it closed in 2007, the Multimodal Park industrial park that has been re-developed by the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority (SRRIFA) – a joint economic development venture between Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville, and the Town of Hurt. With Staunton River Plastics slated to use less than 20 acres for the project, the park still has more than 800 available acres for future tenants.
“Our community is very excited and looking forward to Staunton River Plastics being an important part of our town,” said Gary Hodnett, Mayor of the Town of Hurt and Chairman of the SRRIFA. “We all welcome the construction process starting very soon.” “Today I am thrilled to celebrate the arrival of Staunton River Plastics, which is the first tenant of the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt,” said Tim Dudley, Pittsylvania County Supervisor for the Staunton River District. “After the departure of Burlington Industries, which was formerly known as Klopman Mills, in the mid 2000s, the Town of Hurt and the entire northern portion of Pittsylvania County has remained hopeful that high quality economic opportunities could return to our region. As a result of the hard work of many and regional collaboration between Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville, and the Town of Hurt, Staunton River Plastics is creating high-paying jobs for our region and is kickstarting future developments at the Multimodal Park.”
“This ceremony marks a big step not only for Staunton River Plastics but for this industrial park and the Dan River Region,” said Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones. “We know firsthand that the best way of moving the region forward is by uniting and working together on key projects of importance. We are excited to be a partner in this endeavor, and on behalf of the City of Danville, let me wish the company great success at this incredible site, where generations of residents in this region worked.”
“I am thrilled that Staunton River Plastics is well on its way to having a state-ofthe-art, high quality facility in Pittsylvania County, and I am pleased with the role that the County Industrial Development Authority had in partnering with the company,” said Joey Faucette, Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Industrial Development Authority. “I am confident that the arrival of Staunton River Plastics will generate significant, sustained positive momentum at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt.”
Governor Ralph Northam approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist SRRIFA with the project. The governor also approved a performance-based grant of $300,000 from the Virginia Investment Performance (VIP) program, an incentive that encourages capital investment by existing Virginia companies. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $135,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is eligible to receive rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, as well as benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
“The new Staunton River Plastics facility is a clear demonstration that Southside Virginia is a great place to do business,” said Congressman Bob Good. “This groundbreaking represents an investment in our workforce and a commitment to 200 jobs in the community. The continued partnership between the private sector and local communities like Hurt is critical in the process of revitalizing rural America.”
“I am optimistic about having Staunton River Plastics moving forward in Pittsylvania County,” said Senator Frank Ruff. “Providing jobs and a quality product in close proximity to the end user is good for all involved.” “This groundbreaking marks another significant development in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the northern portion of Pittsylvania County and the Town of Hurt,” said Delegate Les Adams. “The new jobs that are coming with this investment will present more opportunities for our community to flourish, and I am grateful to all those who have helped make this a reality.”
Tobacco Commission Executive Director, Evan Feinman said, "This is a great day for Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville and the region as a whole. 200 new jobs will have a significant impact on the local economy as our communities continue to recover from what has been a difficult period. I'm particularly excited because this project demonstrates that the workforce investments we have made in Southern Virginia are a deciding factor when top employers like Staunton River Plastics are deciding where to locate or expand. I wish Staunton River Plastics the best as they get construction started and look forward to seeing them get hiring underway."
Media Contacts Pittsylvania County: Caleb Ayers, Public Relations Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Danville City: Arnold Hendrix, Public Information Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Town of Hurt: Gary Hodnett, Mayor, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Staunton River Plastics: Greg Wood, Future Plant Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Other Media Available on Groundbreaking:
River City TV Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/RiverCityTV/videos/941612916695137
Chatham Star Tribune: https://www.facebook.com/RiverCityTV/videos/941612916695137
Governor visits Hurt for groundbreaking ceremony | Multimedia | altavistajournal.com
