Tom Atherton, vice president of MEB and managing member of ACJCS, opened the ceremony and introduced Money Mailer Director of Plant Operations Wes Foy. "Four years ago, we made a strategic decision to set up an East Coast facility," said Foy. The business' home base is in California, and was founded there in Huntington Beach in 1979 by Kris O. Friedrich. "We had choices of where to open that facility and quickly decided on Virginia where we received a warm reception. We made an outstanding choice to relocate here. We received southern hospitality treatment that our corporate office in California was not used to."

Foy said that the existing 54,800 square foot space was getting cramped for its 85 team members, 53 of whom reside in Franklin or Southampton County. "We are eager that this project has started and can't wait to get into our new digs," said Foy.

Franklin Southampton Economic Development President John Smolak emphasized that the organization, along with the business team it has formed with Paul D. Camp's Workforce Development and the Franklin Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizes the importance of growth in the community. "It is always noteworthy to take care of existing employers," he said. "They create 70 to 80 percent of the new jobs as they expand. Take care of what you have. That is top priority, and that is what we are going to do," he said of the organizations' focus.

Mayor Jim Councill said it has been a wonderful relationship between the city and Money Mailer and noted his pleasure in the fact that MEB has utilized local company, Crowder & White Contracting of Franklin, to handle all the site work preparation. "We are now the East Coast hub of a national corporation," said Councill. "Wes has done a wonderful job. He has a great team. We are excited about today."

The Franklin plant was started in 2003 with 22 team members, two printing presses and four envelope inserting machines. Now with 85 members, six printing presses and nine inserting machines, Money Mailer's year is budgeted to produce 50 million envelopes.

"We anticipate moving Money Mailer equipment in (the new building) the first week in May," said MEB Project Manager Steve Bunting.

Money Mailer is expecting to surpass an original estimate of 160 team members working at the Franklin facility. Capital commitments have been made for another press and three more envelope inserting machines, as well as 15 additional employees in 2007.

FERIDIES® to invest $3.2 million to expand peanut processing operation - GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES 25 NEW JOBS FOR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY - Press Release September 28, 2006

RICHMOND - Governor Kaine announced that FERIDIES®, a leading manufacturer of Virginia peanuts, will invest $3.2 million to expand its facility in the Southampton Business Park in Southampton County. The company also will increase its equipment capacity at the plant, creating 25 new jobs.

“FERIDIES® is a home-grown Virginia company,” said Governor Kaine. “Southampton County’s history as one of the world’s largest peanut producing counties has been a great fit for this family owned business of 33 years. I congratulate FERIDIES® on its success in producing a high-end Virginia product.”

FERIDIES®, formerly marketed under "The Peanut Patch" label, offers peanuts and a variety of peanut candies, nuts, and other gourmet snacks. Located in Courtland, FERIDIES® has been owned and operated by the Riddick family since 1973. "This expansion comes a year after we rebranded our Virginia Peanut line from The Peanut Patch to FERIDIES®, a name that we have trademarked and is marketable around the world,” says FERIDIES® President Judy Riddick. "Our success as a family owned and operated company, the demand for the Virginia type peanut and the rebranding have allowed us to expand our specialty food product lines and to market more effectively in the U.S. and in other countries."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Southampton County, Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to support the project for Virginia. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.

"We are extremely pleased with FERIDIES’® commitment to expand their processing and logistics operation at the Southampton Business Park,” said Warren Beale, Chairman, Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. “This family owned and operated company, with its long standing history here, has positioned itself well to compete in both the domestic and international marketplaces. We are committed, as part of our new organization, to ensure existing industry has every opportunity to grow and that the company understands we value the economic impact it contributes to the community.”

"We are deeply committed to providing growth opportunities for our existing business and industry,” said Dallas O. Jones, Chairman, Southampton County Board of Supervisors. “FERIDIES'® decision to expand and invest in Southampton County serves to reinforce the importance of that commitment. We are gratified by the vote of confidence given to us by the Riddick family. Southampton County offers many competitive advantages for progressive, growing businesses like FERIDIES®."

"The Riddicks have long been a leader in supporting further processing and value added agriculture in Virginia," said J. Carlton Courter, III, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. "When Judy Riddick first started The Peanut Patch, she was one of the original founders of the Virginia Food and Beverage Association and like The Peanut Patch then, FERIDIES® carries the Department’s "Virginia's Finest" specialty marketing logo on all its packaging. It is agribusinesses like FERIDIES® that support our traditional Virginia agriculture base. We at VDACS congratulate the Riddick family's latest expansion and wish them well in all their future endeavors."

Southampton Terminal, LLC Press Release March 23, 2006

The Southampton County Board of Supervisors and the Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. are pleased to announce the newest member of the business and industry community in Southampton County. Southampton Terminal, LLC will soon begin construction of Phase One of a long term business plan to develop 18.5 acres recently purchased at the Southampton Business Park

Southampton Terminal LLC, is part of a group of diversified companies that  has strived for enhancements and growth in the International Transportation Markets for over 28 years.

Mr. Ahmed Singer, President of Southampton Terminal, LLC stated, "Our goal is to complete five phases of warehousing and storage facilities that consist of 18.5 acres in Southampton County, all located at the Southampton Business Park."

Phase1- will consist of a 50,000 sq ft. building to be completed by the end of July 2006. It will be primarily for distribution and storage of food products with refrigeration space available. It is anticipated a total of 40 new jobs will be rated in Phase 1 with an approximate total investment of $2,000,000

Phase2- is scheduled to be completed by end of 2006 and dedicated to handle special shipping projects, with heavy lift equipment for the packing and bracing capabilities for over-dimensional cargo.

Phase3- is scheduled to be completed by end of June 2007 and will consist of an Import Bonded Warehouse capable of handling all aspects of a Container Freight Station (CFS) from all over the world, primarily from the Far East countries.

Phase4- is scheduled to be completed by end of December 2007 and it will be used for trucking, cargo receiving of Full Container Loads (FCL) and Less than Container Loads (LCL), warehousing, distribution, consolidation of Ocean and Air Freights, Packing and crating services.

NARRICOT INDUSTRIES TO EXPAND SOUTHAMPTON AND MECKLENBURG COUNTY FACILITIES 

- Governor Warner announces German manufacturer to invest $20 million; add 138 new jobs -

March 18, 2005

RICHMOND - Governor Warner announced that Narricot Industries, LP, a leading manufacturer of side impact airbags and polyester and nylon webbing products for the automotive and defense industries, will invest a total of $20 million to expand its Southampton County facility and ramp up its Mecklenburg County facility. This project will result in the creation of 138 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.

“Last summer I met with Narricot Industries’ parent company, the Berger Group, to specifically discuss this expansion project. This announcement demonstrates the competitiveness of our workforce in Southside Virginia, and the region’s proven appeal to a broad spectrum of industries," said Governor Warner.

While the Mecklenburg facility ramps up airbag production through 2007, Narricot will transfer 100 jobs from Mecklenburg County to Southampton County and create 30 new jobs within 30 months at the Southampton facility. The 100 transferred jobs will be replenished at Mecklenburg County, plus an additional eight jobs, resulting in a total of 138 new jobs over the next two years.

Established in Philadelphia in 1898, Narricot Industries, LP is the number one supplier of seatbelt webbing to the North American automotive industry. In addition to seatbelt webbing, Narricot also manufactures other highly engineered polyester and nylon webbing products for industrial, military, fall protection and commercial applications. In May of 2000, Narricot merged with the German-based Berger Group, Europe's largest producer of airbags and seatbelt webbings. By joining forces with the Berger Group, Narricot has the resources and the capabilities to fully support customers on a global level.

“Virginia is an ideal location for expansion,” said Frank Goehring, President of Narricot Industries. “We have a long history with Virginia and have enjoyed the many benefits of the excellent workforce and flexible manufacturing environment that Virginia provides for us to be the leading manufacturer of safety textiles in North America.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Mecklenburg County and Southampton County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Warner approved a $450,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist both counties with the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide new jobs training and retraining through its Workforce Services Program.

"Southampton County values its 40-year plus partnership with Narricot Industries,” said Dallas O. Jones, Chairman of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors. "We appreciate Narricot's vote of confidence in our workforce and its commitment to our local economy. We also appreciate the regional cooperation we received from our neighbors in Mecklenburg County."

“We are very pleased that over the next couple of years Narricot will make a $16.7 million investment in its airbag production, said South Hill Mayor Earl Horne. “It is good to have Narricot, one of, if not the top airbag industry, in South Hill. They play a very positive role in our town and county success.”