March 9, 2020
Governor Ralph Northam announced that 1901 Group, a leading provider of IT services for the public and private sectors, will invest $1.15 million in Washington County to establish its third Virginia operation, creating 150 new jobs.
July 20, 2018
Governor Ralph Northam announced that Speyside Bourbon Cooperage, Inc. will invest $26 million to establish a bourbon barrel cooperage in Smyth County and $9 million in a new stave mill facility in Washington County. The stave mill will supply the company’s new Smyth County cooperage, and the two operations will ramp up simultaneously creating 125 new jobs in Smyth County and 35 new jobs in Washington County. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, and Virginia’s Industrial Advancement Alliance worked with Smyth and Washington Counties, the Smyth-Washington Regional Industrial Facilities Authority to secure the projects for Virginia.
February 8, 2018
Governor Ralph Northam announced that Becker Global-America, a designer and manufacturer of custom electrical equipment for mining, industrial military, and export markets, will invest $150,000 to purchase new equipment and diversify its manufacturing operation in Washington County. In addition, 63 existing employees will be retrained to operate the new equipment. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Washington County to secure the project, and will support Becker Global-America’s retraining efforts through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
July 20, 2018
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Hapco Pole Products will invest over $6 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Washington County. The company will construct a 60,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility adjacent to its current manufacturing campus. This project will create 28 new jobs. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Washington County to secure the project, and will support Hapco’s new job creation through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program. In addition, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved an award from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund, and Washington County provided a performance based grant award in support of this project.
July 20, 2018
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Universal Companies will expand its distribution operation in Washington County. The expansion of their Abingdon facility will create 30 new jobs along with $1.5 million in capital investment. Governor McAuliffe approved a $90,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for this project and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $210,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds to assist the County with this project.
March 17, 2017
Moody’s Investors Service is one of three major credit rating agencies that evaluate the credit worthiness of corporations and government agencies. The credit position for Washington County is strong with its Aa3 rating. Notable credit factors include a moderate pension burden with an extremely small debt liability. It also reflects a heathy financial position, and a large tax base with an adequate economic profile.