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“Virginia’s infrastructure, dedicated labor force, and diverse manufacturing footprint continue to spur leading manufacturers like Rage Corporation to reinvest in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Its operation in Altavista and new Staunton River Plastics facility in Pittsylvania County will enable the company to respond to the critical increased demand for polymer materials. We thank Rage for its confidence in the Commonwealth and for creating more than 200 new jobs in Southern Virginia.”
Established in 1964, Rage Corporation is a family-owned company with a 40-year history of exceeding customer expectations in quality, performance, and innovation in injection-molded and injection stretch blow-molded plastic products. Its clients include name-brand Fortune 500 Companies and industry leaders in the consumer products, industrial, and medical sectors. The Staunton River Plastics operation will be focused on manufacturing essential components that make up a variety of products that will be utilized by citizens across the nation as it continues to battle COVID-19.
The Southern Virginia Multimodal Park site was ultimately chosen for the project due to its proximity to the company’s neighboring Altavista plant, its access to rail, and the region’s proven quality workforce. The project will be in multiple consecutive building phases, with the first phase anticipated to be in commercial operation by mid-2021.
“Staunton River Plastics is excited to join the Southern Virginia Region business community,” said future Staunton River Plastics Plant Manager Greg Wood. “This new operation will provide opportunities for many in the area to be part of a growing business of injection molded plastics. Having a broad selection of talented people in the area, combined with the availability of advanced training programs through local and regional school systems, was a major factor in choosing this location for our production facility. We look forward to being a positive addition to the community of Hurt, Virginia.”
The Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority, a collaborative effort between Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville, and the Town of Hurt, worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, and the Virginia Tobacco Regional Revitalization Commission to secure the project for Virginia.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony with state leaders and dignitaries will be scheduled at a later date, given the current challenges presented by COVID-19.
Governor Northam approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Pittsylvania County with the project. The Governor also approved a performance-based grant of $300,000 from the Virginia Investment Performance (VIP) program, an incentive that encourages capital investment by existing Virginia companies. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $135,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company is eligible to receive rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, as well as benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
“I am proud of the partnerships that have been forged between the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, and the Town of Hurt in order to encourage investment and job creation within our region,” said Sherman Saunders, Chairman of the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority and member of Danville City Council. “As Chairman of the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority, we welcome Staunton River Plastics, LLC as the first tenant within the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park. By expanding its footprint into Hurt, this company will provide quality employment opportunities for residents throughout the Southern Virginia region.”
“Being the County’s board district representative for the Town of Hurt and the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park, I am extremely grateful for today’s exciting news,” said Timothy W. Dudley, Vice-Chairman for the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority, and Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisor for the Staunton River District. “This particular site is part of our region’s cultural fabric, as generations of families and friends have supported their loved ones working in the former textile mill. It is comforting to know that Staunton River Plastics will repurpose a portion of the site for its new modern plant and create jobs for our residents, while also being the first tenant in the industrial park.”
“I am pleased that Staunton River Plastics has recognized that beneath the sleepy exterior of our town lies a wonderful place to do business,” said Town of Hurt Mayor Gary Hodnett. “They have decided to join in with all of us in turning dreams into reality. We see this as the dawn of our new day. During the middle of this pandemic time, Hurt is excited to see this new opportunity realized for us all. The Town of Hurt warmly welcomes Staunton River Plastics to our community.”
“On February 23, 2017, Pittsylvania County proudly signed a letter of intent, along with our member partners, to establish the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority in an effort to redevelop the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in the Town of Hurt,” shared Robert W. Warren, Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. “Then, earlier this year, that created Authority coordinated the removal of Burlington Industries’ remnant smokestacks from the site in an effort to make it ready for an impactful project. It is incredible to think that within three years, three localities were able to work together with private parties to not only ready the site, but to also secure a major first tenant. On behalf of the County Board, I would like to personally thank Dan Saliaris, Helga Arminak, and Staunton River Plastics for its commitment to our region, and I’m confident that the new operation will be successful in Southern Virginia.”
“This former textile site played a major role in the lives of families throughout the Southern Virginia region,” said Alonzo Jones, Mayor of the City of Danville. “Staunton River Plastics LLC is re-imagining the future of this site through its investment in this new facility and by providing high-quality job opportunities for our residents. On behalf of Danville City Council, we thank this company for its commitment to our region and look forward to its growth and success.”
“Few places in the nation have agreements that build collaborative governmental support from multiple jurisdictions to support industry in the manner of the Staunton River RIFA,” stated Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. “Today’s news from Dan Saliaris of the company’s decision to locate in Hurt epitomizes how business responds to a region that is ready to support their infrastructure needs. This decision will impact job creation and investment in the area as they produce world-class products from Hurt, Virginia. Today’s news from Staunton River Plastics is a symbol of the critical link between business, government, and quality of life to the economic vitality of a region”.
Tobacco Commission member, Senator Bill Stanley said, “It’s great news that Staunton River Plastics has chosen Pittsylvania for their latest expansion and it’s even better news that this expansion will result in 200 new jobs right here in Southside Virginia. Virginia successfully competed with other states for this project and Staunton River’s decision to locate here in Pittsylvania shows that our workforce and other assets make us an attractive choice when successful businesses are looking to expand. I wish Staunton River Plastics the best as they get things moving forward here in Southside and welcome them to our business community.”
“It is with great excitement that I join in welcoming development of a new manufacturing facility at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park and the new jobs it will bring to Hurt,” said Virginia Delegate Les R. Adams. “This is great news for our community and the families that live here in Pittsylvania County. Not only is this a wonderful place to live and raise a family, but our local leaders have done an excellent job at marketing the strategic business advantages of this particular location. I congratulate everyone involved in this advancement of our economy and extend my best wishes to Staunton River Plastics as they move forward to grander success.”
“Attracting Staunton River Plastics’ new operation to Pittsylvania County is a testament to the economic development team that has worked tirelessly to boost Southern Virginia’s economy,” said Senator Frank M. Ruff. “The Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt offers the right infrastructure with room to grow, and I am confident that this region’s dedicated workforce will contribute to the company’s future success.”