An initiative supported by LOCUS Impact Investing and Virginia
Community Capital, Opportunity Virginia’s mission is to facilitate
productive connections between investors, project sponsors, and
communities to drive meaningful activity in Virginia’s Opportunity
Zones. Opportunity Virginia provides the education, tools, and resources
to guide each stakeholder group through the process while maintaining a
pulse on potential and realized impact in communities served.
Opportunity Virginia’s website launched last week to serve as a central location for all of these resources. Learn more about Opportunity Virginia, their mission, and the projects they facilitate on their brand-new website.
Free Family Movie Night will be held July 25th at 8:15 PM. The new location is Brunswick County Conference Center (across from Brown’s Funeral Service). Free Popcorn. Families can arrive as early as 8:00 PM. Can Do Club will be selling drinks and hotdogs.
Brunswick County Announces New Company to Create 8 Jobs
Brunswick County, VA – The Brunswick County
Industrial Development Authority, the Brunswick County Board of
Supervisors, and the Town of Lawrenceville announced today KASS Foods, a
healthy snack food manufacturer, will invest to establish an operation
in Brunswick County, Town of Lawrenceville. Virginia successfully
competed against North Carolina and Maryland for the project, which will
bring eight new jobs to the region.
Mike Dotti, Chair of Brunswick County IDA Board said, “It is an easy
thing to say Brunswick County is open for business. To create an
environment where new business is possible takes the work of a lot of
people. We could not have done this without our team. The Board of
Supervisors, Carthan Currin, Economic Development Director, C. J. Dean
and the Town of Lawrenceville, the Tobacco Commission, the amazing IDA
board all moving forward under the proactive leadership of our County
Administrator, Dr. Woolridge. A special thanks to Ajay and the fine
people of KASS for their investment in our County.”
“We are extremely pleased that KASS Foods chose to locate their
company in Brunswick County,” said Dr. Charlette T. Woolridge, Brunswick
County Administrator. “President Sujanani’s business investment results
in the restoration of the former Southern States facility, the creation
of employment opportunities for Brunswick residents, increased tax
revenues, and even more benefits.” Dr. Woolridge also thanked the
partners who helped to make this project possible. “I am very
appreciative of the collaborative partnership between KASS, the Board of
Supervisors and staff, Brunswick County Industrial Development
Authority Board, Town of Lawrenceville, Virginia Tobacco Region
Revitalization Commission, Virginia Department of Housing and Community
Development, Virginia’s Growth Alliance and Southside Planning District
Commission who were instrumental in making this project a reality.”
“The Town of Lawrenceville would like to welcome KASS Foods (Ajay and
Kareena) to our community. They are bringing much needed jobs to our
Town and putting a vacant building back into productive use. We would
like to thank all of those involved in bringing this manufacturing
facility to Lawrenceville, including the Virginia Tobacco Commission,
Virginia’s Growth Alliance and our partners in Brunswick County.
Lawrenceville looks forward to the future with KASS and assisting with
their future goals and plans,” said CJ Dean, Lawrenceville town manager.
“We are excited to be a part of Brunswick County and the Town of
Lawrenceville. We believe this is the perfect location for our
facility,” said KASS Foods president Ajay Sujanani. “The wide support
and consistent enthusiasm we have received for our project reassures us
that we have made the right choice in selecting Town of Lawrenceville in
Brunswick County for our manufacturing plant.”
KASS Foods focuses on manufacturing of healthy snack products in
various segments including organic, children, adult, as well as sweet
and savory. Their product portfolio will consist of several European
style snacks customized to the American palette. With robust R&D
tie-ups with Universities in Germany and US, KASS has various innovative
products that will be rolled out in phases once they start operations.
Tobacco Commission Vice-Chair, Senator Frank Ruff said, “This is
exciting news for Brunswick County. Attracting an innovative company
like KASS Foods to our region shows that we can compete successfully for
manufacturing jobs in any sector. I’m glad that the Tobacco Commission
chose to support this project through the refurbishment of the former
Southern States building and look forward to the success of KASS Foods
in their new home here in Southern Virginia.”
The Tobacco Commission awarded a $447,000 Southside Economic
Development grant to assist with the renovation of the building located
on the Virginia Tobacco Heritage Trail in historic downtown
Lawrenceville.
With assistance from the Southside Planning District Commission, the
Town of Lawrenceville was able to secure a Community Development Block
Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
for additional building renovations needed for the project. The
Southside PDC, through Lake Country Development Corporation’s loan pool
program, was also able to assist the client with project financing.
The company will be located in the former Southern States building adjacent to the Tobacco Heritage Trail.
This project was developed by Virginia’s Growth Alliance. Brunswick
County, along with Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland,
Greensville, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties
and the city of Emporia comprise the Alliance (http://vagrowth.com).
Brunswick County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) plans to strategically pursue new businesses and industries with the vision of having them locate in the County thus encouraging the growth of existing businesses while providing local entrepreneurs with guidance and resources for their start-up ventures and creating employment opportunities. As many of you already have heard Brunswick County is changing. The Brunswick County Board of Supervisors, under the direction of Chairman Barbara Harris, spent a great deal of time in 2017 to envision the future and to develop a comprehensive plan to move forward. Mrs. Harris realized that without Vision there is no way to see the possibilities available to us in the future. Guided by this vision the Board is moving forward to put the pieces in place to make Vision 2035 a reality.
The IDA Board of Directors is made up of citizens from diverse
backgrounds and experiences. Each member brings his or her own
individual perspective to our work. Our board has embraced Vision 2035
not only with our words but also with our actions. Committees have been
formed, communication has been improved and finances and procedures are
being reviewed. We are pledged to work side by side with Carthin Currin,
Directoår of Economic Development and the County to find good business
partners and to enhance and encourage those that are already here.
County government works for you. We invite public comment and
interaction. You have a say and your opinions matter. You also have a
responsibility to improve our County. Shop local, eat local, brag a lot
about all we have. Our local restaurants have great selections. It is
very hard work to operate an eating establishment. Trust me I know, I
spent 25 years in that business. Encourage and support the folks who
have dedicated their time and money to giving you a place to eat. Get
your hair done locally, we have high quality beauty shops and barbers.
The county has great grocery stores, hardware stores, and some of the
best hot dogs and biscuits available anywhere. When you eat and shop
locally you encourage other business to come to our County. You help
create new jobs. You can help create a climate which will encourage the
growth of new business.
As the newly appointed Business Liaison Director of the Brunswick
County Industrial Development Authority, I thank you for your time and
your help. In the future you will be asked for input, help and guidance
to move the Vision forward. The vision will take time, it will take
cooperation and of course your prayers are most appreciated.
Michael Dotti Brunswick County, Va. IDA Business Liaison Director M_Dotti@bcida.org
