Governor Bob McDonnell announced that Aeroprobe Corporation, a manufacturer of high-accuracy instrumentation and software to capture air or other fluid flow data for applications in the turbomachinery, unmanned air vehicle, automotive, and wind turbine markets, will invest $2.2 million initially and $3 million over five years to move its headquarters from Blacksburg and locate a manufacturing operation in the Town of Christiansburg in Montgomery County. The company will construct a 20,000-square-foot facility, expandable up to 40,000-square-feet, in Falling Branch Corporate Park. The project will create 40 new jobs.
Aeroprobe Corporation's probes have been used by customers such as GE, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Volvo, Toyota, Honda, and Dresser-Rand. This year, the company has received a Phase 2 Enhancement contract from NASA to develop a hurricane probe.
Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, "Aeroprobe Corporation just announced the addition of a new high-speed wind tunnel to its satellite facility in Blacksburg a few months ago, and now is expanding its headquarters and manufacturing operation into Falling Branch Corporate Park in Montgomery County. The new facility will accommodate the company's accelerated growth and soaring demand for its technical and manufacturing expertise, with future room for expansion. Impressive companies like Aeroprobe continue to put Virginia in the spotlight in this rapidly growing industry."
"Aeroprobe has internationally renowned customers, and continues to add to its roster as the company grows," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "The addition of 40 new jobs and an additional manufacturing facility is great news for Montgomery County and the region, and we look forward to helping facilitate Aeroprobe's continued success any way we can."
Aeroprobe Corporation also operates satellite facilities in the Blacksburg Industrial Park. The company is the result of a merger last July between Aeroprobe Corporation and Schultz-Creehan Holdings, Inc. The merged entity has experienced significant growth by combining technical expertise with manufacturing expertise. Growth in 2011 was 76% and in 103% is expected in 2012. This growth has fueled additional investments in space, equipment and staff.
"We are grateful for state and local support of Aeroprobe's growth. We are delighted to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The availability of highly technical talent in a business friendly community made Montgomery County our first choice to house our international operations," said Nanci Hardwick, Aeroprobe CEO.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Montgomery County, the Town of Christiansburg and the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development to secure the project for Virginia. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the Company's recruitment and training activities.
"Montgomery County and the Economic Development Authority appreciate the investment Aeroprobe is making in our community," said Montgomery County Board Chair Jim Politis. "Aeroprobe's culture of innovation, technical and manufacturing expertise continues to attract attention to the New River Valley as a magnet for high-tech industry."
"In keeping with our business friendly philosophy, we welcome Aeroprobe to the Falling Branch Corporate Park," said Richard Ballengee, Mayor, Town of Christiansburg. "On behalf of the Christiansburg Town Council, we look forward to working with them and wish them every success."