Here’s a roundup of short news from the Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to [email protected].
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Auto parts maker to expand plant in Greensville County
An auto parts manufacturer will invest $5.4 million in its Greensville County facility, creating 21 new jobs, the governor’s office announced Thursday.
HEYCO Werk USA Inc., the US subsidiary of the Germany-based HEYCO group, manufactures precision plastic molded parts for the automotive industry and other industrial markets, Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a news release.
The company provides automotive product services for BMW SUV models around the world and is expanding production to meet the needs of BMW plants in South Carolina, China and South Africa, according to the press release.
The company currently has 68 employees at the Greensville County plant and expansion is planned over the next four years.
“With this latest investment,” HEYCO Werk USA CEO and President Daniel Dittmar said in the press release, “we mark an important milestone for the future of our manufacturing operation and prepare the plant with new technologies, ensuring success. long-term view of our business and our position as an attractive and viable employer in Greensville County.”
Founded in 1937, HEYCO Group has 1,250 employees at eight locations around the world. It bills itself as “a leading provider of engineering products and services in the area of metal and plastic processing technology.”
HEYCO Werk USA opened its first US facility in 2014 and opened the Greensville County plant in 2019, according to the governor’s press release.
The Virginia Economic Development Association worked with Greensville County on the project, and Youngkin approved a $135,000 Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund grant to help the county. HEYCO Werk USA will also be eligible for enterprise zone benefits and employee training support from the state.
“The Virginia operation has expanded HEYCO’s production footprint to serve BMW plants around the world, and we are delighted that the company will create more high-quality manufacturing jobs for the hard-working citizens of Greensville County. Youngkin said.
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Opportunity Appalachia to Showcase Regional Projects to Potential Investors
Opportunity Appalachia, a project of Appalachian Community Capital, is hosting a call for virtual investors from May 31 to June 1. Registration is open to investors, funders, project developers, business owners, elected officials, economic development professionals, community members, and others at www. .OAConvening.org.
Opportunity Appalachia works to attract new investment to underserved communities in central Appalachia.
The call for investors will feature 33 Opportunity Appalachia projects seeking to develop relationships with investment partners. The 2023 project pipeline includes downtown development, manufacturing, IT, healthcare, education, food systems, clean energy, and heritage tourism and recreation. In total, the portfolio is seeking $187 million in financing and is projected to create 3,000 jobs.
The investor meeting will feature remarks by Tom Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and participation by leaders of the Richmond Federal Reserve’s Investment Connection program.
For more information, contact Donna Gambrell at 202-547-5155 or [email protected] or visit www.OAConvening.org.
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Entrepreneur and author Clifton Taulbert will speak in Danville
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville will present a talk by author and entrepreneur Clifton Taulbert on June 6.
Taulbert is president and CEO of Freemount Corp., a human capital development company; President and CEO of Roots Java Coffee; and an entrepreneurial mentor. His first book, “Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored,” became a national bestseller and a movie.
The event will take place from 5:30 to 8 pm and includes dinner. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
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New nonprofit to take over Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival
The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce is in the process of transferring ownership of the annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival to a new non-profit organization.
Hook Lines and Singers Inc. will organize and operate the event with proceeds donated to charity, according to a chamber news release. This year’s festival is scheduled for September 23 and 24 at Crazy Horse Marina.
Tim Reith, a local music enthusiast and owner of Mango’s Bar & Grill, formed the non-profit organization in 2022 to help local and national songwriters showcase their talents while providing a venue to raise money for charities.
The chamber has organized 32 wine festivals in the past 34 years, with the fundraiser canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Andy Bruns, the chamber’s chief executive, said that while the festival has served the organization well over the years, the pandemic required the nonprofit to switch to a different business model.
For more information about the festival, visit smlwinefestivial.com or facebook.com/smlwinefestival.
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Claytor Lake State Park reopens Camp D, debuts new bathhouse
Claytor Lake State Park has completed the renovation of the bathhouse at Campground D, allowing the park to open an additional 40 campgrounds.
Campground D is the only campground in the park that offers water and electrical hookups and can accommodate RV units up to 40 feet. The campground usually opens in March, but remained closed at the start of the season for a complete overhaul of the 1980s-era bathhouse to address various issues, including limited ADA accessibility, dated fixtures and community showers, according to a statement. press.
Campground D will open on May 26. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at reservevaparks.com or by calling 800-933-PARK (7275).
