|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 800 NEW JOBS FOR DANVILLE
Furniture supplier to invest more than $36 million in manufacturing
facility ~
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Com.40 Ltd, a
major manufacturer of mattresses and upholstered furniture, will invest
$36.3 million to open a manufacturing facility in the City of Danville.
The project will create 813 jobs. Virginia successfully competed with
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas for the project.
“Danville continues its extraordinary economic rebound,” said Governor
Kaine. “This project marks the single largest Polish investment in
Virginia. When I announced the Swedwood/IKEA project in October 2006 we
knew that it would be transformational for the region, and now Com.40
will make a major investment, increasing our furniture manufacturing
base. State and local teamwork and support facilitated this related
project, similar to the success Swedwood has experienced in Southern
Virginia.”
Com.40 Ltd, established in 2000, is a private company headquartered in
Nowe Skalmierzyce, Poland. Com.40 is a high performance manufacturer of
mattresses and upholstered furniture in Poland and is a key supplier to
Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA. This Com.40 project in Danville
will help supply mattresses and upholstery to IKEA stores in North
America. The company currently has 1,750 employees in Poland.
“Danville, Virginia is the perfect choice for Com.40 to enter the North
American market,” said Bogdan Kaczmarek, CEO and Owner, Com.40 Ltd.
“The strategic location and solid transportation infrastructure puts us
in close proximity to IKEA stores on the East Coast, as well as
components suppliers. City of Danville and state officials offered an
impressive pro-business approach and strong financial support. This,
combined with the region’s available, educated labor force, made
choosing Danville an easy decision.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of
Danville to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved
$1.5 million from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Danville
with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community
Revitalization Commission approved $900,000 in Tobacco Region
Opportunity Funds. The company is eligible to receive state benefits
from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia
Department of Housing and Community Development, because it is locating
in a Virginia Enterprise Zone. The Virginia Department of Business
Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs
Investment Program.
“We are thrilled that the largest investment in
Commonwealth history by a Polish company is happening in Danville,”
said Jerry L. Gwaltney, City Manager. “Com.40 is a natural fit for
Danville, joining the ranks of our other six international companies
that have already invested in our city. Companies from around the world
are taking notice of Danville and Southern Virginia and for good
reason: we prove time and time again that we have the workforce and the
means to get the job done. And with a partner like the Danville
Regional Foundation – whose assistance was instrumental in making this
project happen – we see many more opportunities in our future. Danville
can!”
Charles Hawkins, Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco
Commission said, “The City of Danville is rapidly making the transition
from being the tobacco capital of the South to becoming the South's
leading hub for advanced manufacturing. Com.40's decision to locate
here is evidence of an extraordinary partnership between our local
labor force and Polish entrepreneurs. More now than ever, Danville's
motto of being a World Class Community is true, especially on this day
when we welcome Com.40 to the City.”
# # #