GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES 125 NEW JOBS

FOR CARROLL COUNTY

~ AmeriPumps to invest $4.6 million to move headquarters to Virginia ~


RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that AmeriPumps, LLC, a manufacturer of portable water pumps used in the construction and mining industries, hurricane recovery and aboard ships and boats, will invest $4.6 million to move its headquarters and manufacturing facility from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the Town of Hillsville in Carroll County. The company, which will assemble, ship and service water pumps throughout North America and the Western Hemisphere, will create 125 jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Tennessee for the project.



“This is tremendous news for Hillsville and Carroll County,” said Governor Kaine. “AmeriPumps’ decision to open this facility demonstrates that the region, previously affected by economic downturn, is on the rebound. The company will find no shortage of capable employees with a strong work ethic, and I look forward to AmeriPumps’ success in Virginia.”



AmeriPumps has a strong business relationship with Sykes International, which is the largest industrial pump manufacturer in the world. Sykes has earned and maintained a reputation for building the most reliable dry priming dewatering pump for some of the most challenging applications imaginable to man. Due to this strong relationship, AmeriPumps is the sole authorized manufacturer of Sykes Pump in the Western Hemisphere which includes Canada, the United States, Central and South America.



“We are extremely excited to establish our Corporate Headquarters and Manufacturing operations in Hillsville, Virginia, and we look forward to being a part of the Hillsville/Carroll County business community for many years to come,” said Doug Zukowski, President of AmeriPumps. “The decision to relocate our operations to Virginia was based on the strong work ethic and available workforce in this geographic region along with the quality of life only found in this part of Virginia. We certainly appreciate the leadership and hard work from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Carroll County Administration and the Town of Hillsville and others for assisting us in making Hillsville our new home.”



The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Town of Hillsville, Carroll County and Virginia’s aCorridor to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved $150,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Carroll County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $100,000 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.



“AmeriPumps is an exciting opportunity for the area. We are blessed to have a Western Hemisphere Company headquartered in the region that will be employing 125 and investing more than $4 million,” said Carroll County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sam Dickson and Town of Hillsville Mayor Bill Tate. “AmeriPumps is an entrepreneurial adventure where a vision was created along with actions taken to make it happen. The true ‘American Spirit’ of recognizing and acting on opportunity is alive and well in Carroll County and the Town of Hillsville. We feel as if this is a great start to expanded growth and prosperity for our citizens.”



“On behalf of the Virginia Tobacco Commission we congratulate Carroll County and the Town of Hillsville for successfully bringing an outstanding employer to the Southwest Virginia region,” said Commissioner Linda DiYorio. “We are pleased that we could be a part of such an effort. We congratulate the leadership of AmeriPumps for making the wise decision to bring their company to Carroll County. They have chosen an excellent location.”



The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission is a 31-member body created by the 1999 General Assembly. It has, as a significant part of its mission, the promotion of economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities. To date, the Commission has awarded 973 grants totaling more than $432 million across the tobacco region of the Commonwealth. For complete information on all of the Commission’s history, mission, funding programs and past awards, visit www.tic.virginia.gov.

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