Mazda is one of the newest businesses to locate in the Walthall Enterprise Zone.

Business growth in Chesterfield County is looking positive, according to Garrett Hart, Development Manager for Chesterfield County Economic Development. So far in 2008, new business projects have created over $75 million in capital investment and 500 jobs, twice the business activity of last year.

Among those new businesses contributing to Chesterfield’s business growth are industry giants Mazda, GlaxoSmithKline, and Trainor Glass. The move of such high-profile companies, Hart notes, is especially advantageous for the county, as it will help attract other companies to the area.

“Companies recognize that Chesterfield County, the Richmond region, and the Commonwealth are seen as a hot area of the country in which to do business, and they want to ride on our wave of success,” he says. “Top companies are beginning to take notice of the remarkable growth and advantages occurring in Chesterfield County, and they want to be part of it. It makes good business sense that quality companies want to locate near other top companies, which is one of the reasons why we have continually attracted so many of the world’s distinguished industry leaders.”

Mazda’s decision to locate in Chesterfield County has been an especial boon to the local economy. Not only will the facility create 25 jobs in the Walthall Enterprise Zone, an area designated by the county as needing quality job opportunities, but the county will receive the prestige of being recognized by a global company as well. “This is the only Mazda facility of its kind in North America, and will serve the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican markets,” Hart says. “In a time where we see a lot of companies leaving the U.S. in order to cut operating costs, it is a big deal to be recognized by a foreign company as a place where you can compete globally.”

The new Mazda facility, which opened in May, means a $1.6-million-dollar investment in building improvements and equipment.

Like Mazda, GlaxoSmithKline will help bring jobs to the Walthall Enterprise Zone and prestige to the county. The international pharmaceutical leader, based in the U.K., purchased a 262,000-square-foot warehouse, which opened in early June, and has made a $7-million-dollar investment in the county. Currently, the company has employed 40 people, though within a three-year span, around 70 jobs are projected. Hart and Economic Development have worked with GlaxoSmithKline’s consultant and their contractor, Kenco Logistics Services, since August 2007, and the relationship is currently ongoing.

Trainor Glass, headquartered in Chicago, opened their Chesterfield facility in June in the former GCX building on Ware Bottom Spring Rd. Since February, Economic Development has been heavily involved in bringing the glazing contractor to the area, assisting in bringing together the company and permitting departments, which allowed the company to establish a working relationship with Chesterfield County, and acting as Trainor’s point of contact. Initially, Trainor has invested $5,345,000, including the cost of the GCX building, its upfit, and equipment; and has created 25 jobs, in addition to the 72 it has transferred into Chesterfield County.

The recent acquisition of Mazda, GlaxoSmithKline, and Trainor Glass – in conjunction with many of the other high-profile national and international corporations like Maruchan Foods, Wako Chemical, and Eternal Technologies – will continue to attract other foreign investment to the county. But, Hart says, there are a number of other incentives that also draw businesses to the area. “There are many reasons why Chesterfield is a good location for businesses: a central East Coast location; good transportation network; large, well-trained work force; award-winning school system; high quality of life; and low business tax structure are some of the leading advantages,” he explains.

Such incentives have not gone unnoticed by businesses; according to Hart, Economic Development is currently working with 125 active prospects looking at locating at or expanding in Chesterfield County, and inquiry activity and international interest are both quite high.

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