Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Shenandoah Sustainable Technologies, LLC (SST), a Rockingham County based sustainable construction company will add 72 jobs and $600,000 in capital investment throughout Virginia over the next three years. SST specializes in the construction of self-sufficient buildings and the retrofitting of existing buildings. The company serves residential, commercial and faith-based communities with a variety of sustainable utilities, including geothermal heating/cooling systems, solar and wind power, and rainwater and wastewater collection systems.
“One of the goals of my Renew Virginia Initiative is to position the Commonwealth as a leader in alternative energy generation, energy conservation, and research and development. An expansion like this, especially in these economic times, tells me that Virginia’s business climate positions us well to come out of this recession strong,” said Kaine. “By developing and nurturing a green energy industry here, we will not only address our growing energy needs in a more responsible way, but we will also help stimulate Virginia’s economy.”
SST’s mission is to rapidly spread sustainable technologies to help average families overcome high utility costs and water contamination. The company’s projects have already spread economic activity and work for people in the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, Southside Virginia and Hampton Roads. SST takes a unique approach to construction – self-sufficient buildings with Zero Earth Impact – net zero energy, carbon, and water and waste treatment.
“The future is very exciting for us,” said SST president and director Zach Fettig, a graduate of the Integrated Science and Technology Center at James Madison University. “We’ll use our sustainable technologies, imagination and drive to overcome our economic and environmental problems. Through each project, SST is proving that these new technologies are real, substantial and sustainable.”
Shenandoah Sustainable Technologies illustrates the success of blending young entrepreneurs with university and local and state government support. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance worked with James Madison University, Rockingham County, the City of Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to assist the project.” The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide recruiting and training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program to SST. The program offsets qualifying companies’ recruitment and training costs and connects them with all available resources to help with their workforce development efforts.
“Since 1965, the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) has supported businesses that are hiring to upgrade the skills of their workers,” said Lynda Sharp Anderson, director of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. “On average, the return on investment for VJIP projects to the Commonwealth is 2.2 months.”
Under the leadership of Kaine, Virginia has been consistently recognized as the most business-friendly state in America by Forbes.com (2006-2009) and has repeatedly been recognized as the most business-friendly state in the nation. Virginia is currently also ranked the “No. 1 Pro-Business State” by both CNBC and Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc., the second “Best State for Business” by Directorship magazine, and among the five “Best States to Start a Business” by U.S. News and World Report. For more information on VDBA and VJIP, visit www.vdba.virginia.gov.
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