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GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES
50 NEW JOBS FOR DANVILLE
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Nestlй USA
plans to invest $20 million to expand manufacturing capacity in
Danville, creating 50 new jobs at its facility in Danville's Airside
Industrial Park. The company makes BUITONI® refrigerated pasta and
sauces and NESTLЙ® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough at the
facility. Virginia successfully competed with Idaho and Wisconsin
for
the project.
"Nestlй's expansion is further evidence that the Southside region
continues to grow and diversify its economy," said Governor Kaine.
"This is the fifth Danville announcement I've participated in since
taking office 14 months ago, and it is gratifying to see this
continued
progress."
Nestlй USA is part of Nestlй S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland - the
world's
largest food company - which earlier this spring posted record sales
of $79 billion. The company has been designated one of "America's
Most
Admired Food Companies" in FORTUNE magazine for ten consecutive
years.
"I am so proud of our team in Danville. Our associates here have
helped
us grow these brands into the very strong businesses they are
today,"
said Nestlй's Don Nodtvedt, who is set to retire as Danville plant
manager. "The success of these businesses is what allows Nestlй to
make
this significant new investment in Danville." Nodtvedt will be
succeeded in this position by Mike Mabert, who comes to Virginia
from a
Nestlй facility in California.
Nestlй officials note that the BUITONI® brand, made in Danville
since
1988, is now the market share leader in the U.S. refrigerated pasta
and
sauce category. Similarly, NESTLЙ® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie
dough, launched in 1993, is responsible for most of that category's
recent growth. In 2004, Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine named
Danville its bakery "Plant of the Year," in recognition of the
outstanding performance of these products.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City
of
Danville to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved
$75,000 from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Danville with
the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community
Revitalization Commission approved $75,000 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. The Virginia
Department of Business Assistance will support the project with
training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
"This is an exhilarating time for Nestlй and the city," said
Danville
City Manager Jerry L. Gwaltney. "Their announcement of new jobs and
investment will have long lasting effects on the city by increasing
our
tax base, enhancing our diverse business climate, and by paying
better
than average wages. With more than 500 employees working here in
Danville, this world-class company is one of our major private
sector
employers in the city. We greatly value our partnership with the
Nestlй
team and we congratulate them on their continued success."