Parker Bows is first on board in assisting the nonprofit Vector Industries with its move to a new facility on Hopeman Parkway in Waynesboro.
“We’re so appreciative for the financial support that we’ve received from Parker Bows. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to get the building ready to accommodate what we want to do at Vector, not only because of the age of the building, but also because of the population that we serve,” said Chrissy Johnston, the CEO at Vector Industries, which announced in February that it had closed on an 82,000-square-foot space on Hopeman Parkway that will allow Vector to expand its offerings in warehousing, light assembly and office space.
Vector Industries is a unique employment-based nonprofit. Founded in 1969, Vector Industries employs and trains persons with diverse disabilities to enable them to reach their potential as productive community members.
Parker Bows, founded in 1984 and based in Augusta County, has been a valuable employment partner for Vector Industries, having contracted out work to Vector Industries for 10 years. Rob Mason, the president of Parker Bows, said his company’s relationship with Vector Industries “plays an important role in keeping Parker cost-competitive in the marketplace.”
Vector Industries employees work year-round on projects for Parker Bows, focusing on pre-assembly and packaging work that would be expensive for Parker Bows to undertake in-house.
“It’s very important to us to support Vector. You have dozens of folks who have a very strong desire to work and be productive. We feel a strong obligation to provide them with meaningful work that can allow them to help earn a living and to be productive,” Mason said. “There’s so much in our culture today that is about the handout. For those folks who have in some cases some very severe challenges, the fact that they want to work and produce and be a part of a team, to me that’s really significant.”
Vector Industries is working with other corporate and community partners for funding assistance for its move to the Hopeman Parkway facility. An architect is working with the nonprofit on the design phase of the move, Johnston said.
“It’s our hope to be able to improve this facility to be state of the art and something that will carry Vector into the future for decades,” said Johnston, listing key focal points to the design for the Hopeman Parkway property, which include lighting in the warehouse area of the facility, a new breakroom/lunchroom for employees, new bathrooms that are ADA-compliant, and exterior improvements to include picnic tables and an outdoor pavilion to allow employees benefit from fresh air during moderate climate months.
Once the design is finalized, Vector Industries will identify individual projects that corporate and community customers can sponsor, Johnston said.
Those interested in sponsoring a portion of the renovations can connect with Johnston at [email protected] or (540) 943-8444.
More information on Vector Industries can be found online at www.VectorIndustries.org.
– Story by Chris Graham
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