Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Home Care Industries, Inc., one of North America’s leading floor care companies, will invest $1.5 million to open a manufacturing and distribution operation in Mecklenburg County. The project will create 150 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina, Mississippi and South Carolina for the project.
Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Southern Virginia is on the rebound, and Home Care Industries’ new manufacturing and distribution operation is further positive news for this region. Mecklenburg County was able to provide a building to meet the company’s infrastructure needs, as well as convenient proximity to Home Care’s plant in North Carolina. I welcome Home Care to Virginia and look forward to working with them in the future.”
“I congratulate the largest supplier of floor care accessories in North America on calling Mecklenburg County home to its first manufacturing and distribution facility in the Commonwealth,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Home Care Industries supplies key accounts and national retail chains that are major household names, and I am pleased the company will have a presence in Southern Virginia.”
Headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey, Home Care Industries, Inc. was founded in 1959 as a vacuum bag manufacturer. Home Care has established itself as the pre-eminent supplier to the floor care industry through innovative product design, superior quality and unsurpassed customer service.
“We are extremely excited about the expansion opportunities presented to our business by partnering with the Commonwealth of Virginia,” indicated Robert J. Logemann, President and CEO of Home Care Industries. “Virginia offers us both the infrastructure and qualified workforce needed to support our growth plans, which, as we all know, is essential in today’s uncertain economic environment. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership team took the time to understand our needs and worked with us to build a comprehensive and attractive incentive package that made Virginia the clear choice.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Mecklenburg County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Mecklenburg County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $390,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. 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 provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
"Mecklenburg County has once again shown it is very pro-business,” said Glenn Barbour, Chairman, Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors. “With the great work being done by our Economic Development Director Angie Kellett and Wayne Carter, our County Administrator, we will continue to be aggressive in showing prospective industries that we have everything they need to prosper in our county. We look forward to Home Care Industries getting started soon and providing 150 jobs for our citizens. I would like to thank Governor McDonnell's office, the Tobacco Commission and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership for their support of the project. Also, thanks to our Board of Supervisors for having the foresight to purchase the Harden manufacturing building, putting our county in a position to have a facility immediately available for a business prospect."
"I am delighted that Home Care Industries has decided to locate in Mecklenburg County," said Delegate Tommy Wright, a member of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. "The addition of 150 jobs and an investment of $1.5 million perpetuates the positive economic climate that Virginia offers. I am glad that the Virginia Tobacco Commission could play a part in helping Home Care Industries locate in Southside Virginia. We continue to see how all participants working together can bring very positive results."