Could Maryland and Montgomery County use a $1.3 billion corporate investment, 2015 high-wage jobs, and a major infusion of tax revenue? Yes! Did we win the 500,000-square-foot Microporous manufacturing facility? No! But Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will give you three guesses as to who did. Yet again, our rival across the Potomac River has bested us in the economic development sweepstates.
Microporous, a leading manufacturer of battery separators, will construct the $1.3 billion facility in Berry Hill, Virginia. The factory will create 2015 new, high-wage jobs, and will provide more freight traffic for the Port of Virginia. Tennessee-based Microporous was founded as the American Rubber Company, which patented the first rubber battery separator in 1934. Today, their products are in high demand, as adoption of electric vehicles explodes in many countries around the world, even if demand for EVs still lags in the United States. Virginia's port will indeed see a boost in outbound traffic as a result, as Microporous is the only manufacturer of rubber battery separators used in electric automobiles and mobility devices.
“This historic $1.35 billion investment by Microporous in Pittsylvania County marks a new chapter in Virginia's incredible advanced manufacturing story,” Youngkin said in a statement yesterday. “This project not only brings over 2,000 new jobs to Southside Virginia, but also positions the Commonwealth at the forefront of our nation’s resurgence in manufacturing. Microporous' decision to establish their new facility here underscores Virginia's competitive advantages and our commitment to leading the way in innovative industries.” Youngkin's office identified North Carolina as the other finalist for the facility; it's unclear if Maryland even attempted to pursue the opportunity, or was once again asleep at the switch.
“It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome Microporous to the Southern Virginia Megasite and Pittsylvania County," Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Darrell Dalton said Wednesday. “Microporous brings a new level of technological advancement to our business community as well as high paying jobs that offer another opportunity for our young people to remain and raise families in and near their hometowns. Microporous will also provide the County with added revenue to better serve our citizens. We look forward to many years of Microporous’ growth and success and Pittsylvania County is honored to be part of that journey.”
Photos courtesy Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin
VA can only beat MD if MD was in the running. Maybe there isn’t any site in MD that met the requirements of the company and was never even considered. Your arguments are growing tired.
ReplyDelete6:41: Why wouldn't we be in the running? Too busy posing at Ravens practice?
DeleteJust what MoCo, the US county with the highest percentage (29.2%) of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate degrees, really needs - a rubber factory.
ReplyDelete6:49: Your comment reveals you know very little about the international auto industry in 2024.
DeleteMaybe these $12/hour jobs are "high paying" for wherever Pittsylvania County is, but obviously this isn't relevant to MoCo. If something like this opened here you'd immediately declare MoCo "moribund" and, for once, you'd probably be right.
ReplyDelete8:42: Where does it say $12?
DeleteA couple of thoughts. Was proximity to the Norfolk port a requirement? If so, then Maryland is immediately out. Berry Hill is very close to the NC border, so it is telling that VA and NC were the two states in the running. Also, a facility that size needs a lot space, and there may not be any plot of land in MoCo that size. Hard to say without more details.
ReplyDelete9:06: We have room, and Hagerstown, Cumberland, etc. definitely have room. CSX runs right to the Port of Baltimore.
DeleteBut I'll bet we've got more apartments coming on line!
ReplyDelete9:16: Ike Leggett agreed with me - we are becoming a bedroom community for the booming job centers elsewhere in our region.
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