Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Medical-device maker’s Salem expansion to create 83 jobs
A manufacturer of medical device components will expand its operations in Salem, creating 83 jobs, the governor’s office said Tuesday.
Integer will lease a new 13,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to produce catheter components to support its growing business related to cardiovascular health, according to a news release from Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Neither the news release nor a company spokesperson provided a dollar value for the investment, which the news release said will occur over five years.
Plano, Texas-based Integer(NYSE:ITGR) has its Salem location at 200 S. Yorkshire St. and has operated in the city for 30 years, making medical device components such as catheters, stents and pacemakers. The new manufacturing facility will be at 744 Electric Road in Salem.
The company employs 11,000 people worldwide and about 650 in Salem.
“For more than three decades, our team in Salem has provided incredible talent to help Integer become our customers’ partner of choice for delivering innovation that enhances the lives of patients around the world,” Integer President and CEO Joseph Dziedzic said in the release.
Youngkin approved a $350,000 state grant and a separate $500,000 performance-based grant for the project.
The investment will allow the company to expand its production capacity and create more space at its existing Salem location, according to the news release.
“Integer’s approach to recruitment and training is a model for modern manufacturers and the region is fortunate to be partnered with such a fabulous company and leader within the industry,” said John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, an economic development organization that worked with Salem and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure the project.
— Matt Busse
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Low-interest federal loans available to nonprofits for flood repairs
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for certain Virginia nonprofits affected by the severe winter storms and flooding that occurred Feb. 10-18.
Loans are available in the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Lee, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wise and the city of Bristol.
Examples of eligible organizations include food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges, according to a news release from the SBA.
Eligible nonprofits can apply for both business physical disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, or EIDLs.
Nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
EIDLs, which are available even if the organization did not suffer any physical damage, may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.
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Telethon raised $55,500 for flood relief
Last month’s “Two Virginias, One Mission: Helping Hands and Healing Hearts Telethon” raised more than $55,500 to support flood relief and recovery efforts in Virginia and West Virginia, according to a news release from event organizers
The live three-hour telecast, which was hosted March 8 by WVVA-TV, featured entertainment and sports celebrities with ties to the region, including Steve Earle, Vince Gill, T. Graham Brown and Melissa Gilbert.
Proceeds from the telethon will be distributed by the Salvation Army.