Company will invest over $1million in new facility
Verona, VA- Augusta County Board of Supervisors announced today that Blue Ridge Machine Works will invest $1,350,000 to expand its operations and build a new facility in Mill Place Commerce Park. The project will create 10 new jobs over the next three years. The Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities. “Blue Ridge Machine Works’ expansion is great news for Augusta County and the Commonwealth,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Economic Development and job creation are top priorities of the Administration, and we are grateful to the company for contributing to the economic health of the County and the Commonwealth.”
“Blue Ridge Machine Works will be a great addition to Mill Place Commerce Park,” said Mr. Wills, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “The company will continue our efforts to build a strong supply chain for manufacturing in Augusta County. “Mill Place Commerce Park offers great options for new and expanding companies, and I’m thrilled to see Blue Ridge Machine Works takes advantage of that opportunity,” said David Karaffa, who represents the Beverley Manor District where the park is located.
Blue Ridge Machine Works President & CEO Mike Shelton commented “We are excited to grow in Augusta County and look forward to this development and expanding Blue Ridge Machine Works.” The machine and design business offers contract manufacturing, custom machined components, prototypes and short run production machining to meet design and engineering needs for a variety of industries.
Currently located in Grottoes, the company will be moving all operations into its new Mill Place facility. Jeff Nicely, Town Manager for the Town of Grottoes said, “We are sad to see Blue Ridge Machine Works move, but understand that the facility was a limiting factor to the company’s future growth. We have appreciated the company’s business presence in the Town since 2002 and wish the company much success in the years to come.”
Blue Ridge Machine Works will begin construction in the fall of this year and hopes to be operational by spring 2015. Shelton said of the construction timeline, “We have a great group of professionals working on this project – Spruce Hill Excavating, Heavener and Son Construction, Hamrick Engineering, and Pat Katz Architecture have been a great fit for our business.” “Projects come together quickly in Augusta County thanks to our strong team of dedicated staff,” said Amanda Glover, Director of Economic Development for the County. “Economic development and job creation are priorities of the Board of Supervisors,” Glover added, “and the momentum is driven by the County’s expedited review process and hard-working staff members in all departments.”
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About Augusta County, Virginia: Located in the center of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and at the intersection of I-64 and I-81, the area offers easy access to transportation networks and global markets. In 2012, the Augusta County area was ranked the #1 micropolitan economy in Virginia by Site Selection magazine. Home to Hershey Chocolate of Virginia, McKee Foods, Target, Hollister, Shamrock Farms, Rexnord and NIBCO, Augusta County enjoys a rich and diversified business base. More information at www.co.augusta.va.us.
