Glass fabricator Press Glass Inc. will commit to an additional 335 new jobs at its plant in Henry County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday.
According to Youngkin and other state officials, this is one of the largest jobs announcements in Henry County history, rivaling Schock’s 2021 announcement of 355 jobs at its Henry County headquarters.
“The addition of 335 new jobs, more than doubling the county’s head count, helps the region continue its economic rebound,” Youngkin said during a news conference.
Currently, Press Glass employs around 300 people. Its product largely consists of glass structures for architectural projects.
The new jobs are part of a larger funding commitment by Press Glass, which is based in Poland. The company plans to invest a total of $155.2 million to expand its Henry County location.
“This is the single largest capital investment that has ever been made in Henry County,” Youngkin said.
Previously, Crown Holdings was the title holder with a $145 million investment made in 2021.
Press Glass’ investment will go toward the new jobs as well as to a building expansion of 360,000 square feet.
Press Glass President Maciej Migalski provided a tentative timeline for the project, which is planned to start next year and be complete by the end of 2025. Press Glass has 15 factories throughout Europe; Migalski said that this project will expand the company’s American presence.
“After expansion, our location will be one of the largest glass facilities in this country,” Migalski said.
Press Glass is one of several plants that make up the Commonwealth Crossing Industrial Park. The company joined the park in 2020.
“When Press Glass first came here in 2020, they said they might hire 100 people, 200 people,” Youngkin said. “Today, more than 300 people are employed here, so this is a doubling of … the great opportunities that Press Glass presents.”
Migalski said that the decision to expand the facility was a “natural” one and that the Henry County location, more so than its European counterparts, was a prime space for additional investments.
Jim Adams, chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors, said the county has enjoyed a “tremendous working relationship” with Press Glass.
Youngkin’s office approved a $2 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund as incentive for the investment.
This is the most recent development for Commonwealth Crossing.
Earlier this year, the park received a little over $20 million in grant funding to further develop the 200-acre campus.
“Economic development is a long and expensive game,” said James McClain, chair of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, before going on to say that this was only the beginning for industry in the state’s Southside region.
Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, agreed.
“Southside Virginia has the people, resources, and infrastructure for manufacturers to thrive,” Griffith said. “This investment is great news for our economy.”