Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Thursday that Monogram Food Solutions, LLC, a Memphis-based manufacturer of value-added processed meats, will invest $36.475 million to expand its meat snacks production operation in the Henry County Patriot Centre Industrial Park. Virginia successfully competed against two other states for the project, which will create 200 new jobs.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Monogram Food Solutions is a major employer in Martinsville-Henry County, and an investment of this caliber creating 200 new jobs is a tremendous win for the region as it continues to rebound economically. The company is putting more people back to work and helping to diversify the industry base, both of which are critical for building a new Virginia economy.”
“Today is a great day for economic development in Virginia,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Strengthening relationships with existing businesses is essential to the economic vitality of the Commonwealth, and Monogram Food Solutions continues to thrive in our welcoming business environment. The company’s decision to grow its operation in Henry County is a great testament to the advantage of doing business in Virginia.”
Founded in 2004 when a group of Memphis investors bought the King Cotton and Circle B Brand Meats business from the Sara Lee Corporation, Monogram Food Solutions is dedicated to providing innovative and top-quality food products that consumers love to eat. Monogram Meat Snacks, a division of Monogram Food Solutions, is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of quality meat snacks, including jerky, meat and cheese snacks, kippered beef sticks and pickled sausages. These meat snacks are all made in the U.S.A. and include Wild Bill’s, O’Brien’s, Trail’s Best, Hannah’s, Bull’s and licensed brands Bass Pro Shop’s Uncle Buck’s, Johnsonville and Butterball. Monogram Food Solutions also produces a wide variety of private label brand meat snacks, smoked meats, corn dogs and pre-cooked bacon for strategic partners across the country. Monogram operates facilities in Minnesota, Indiana, Texas and Iowa, as well as the Henry County, Va. plant.
“The workforce in Martinsville has been outstanding, and, because of this, we are expanding now for the third time. When we purchased the facility in 2009, there were about 125 associates. This expansion will take employment to over 600. We love the Martinsville workforce, as they are hard workers and are committed to product quality, people safety and excellent customer service,” said Karl Schledwitz, Chairman and CEO of Monogram Food Solutions.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $400,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Henry County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $835,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The company will also be eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit and sales and use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“Monogram is one of our finest corporate citizens and we are thrilled about its latest expansion,” said H.G. Vaughn, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “Today’s announcement is more evidence that Henry County and Martinsville are open for business.”
“Slowly but surely, the Tobacco Commission, along with its local partners, is revitalizing our economy here in Southside,”said Senator Bill Stanley, member of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. “This announcement is not just good news for our area, but also demonstrates the faith that industries are placing in the citizens of our region when they choose to invest here.”
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