Governor Warner Announces Virginia Has Nation's Second Lowest Jobless Rate

Governor Warner Announces Virginia Has Nation's Second Lowest Jobless Rate

— Three expansions announced today: 1,022 jobs, $1.3 billion investment —

On a day in which Governor Mark R. Warner announced three job expansions creating 1,022 new jobs and representing nearly $1.3 billion in capital investment from Northern Virginia to Southside, the Governor also announced that Virginia tied with Florida and Idaho with the nation's second-lowest unemployment rate in September, at 3.5 percent. Hawaii led the nation at 2.7 percent, according to the latest data from the U.S. Labor Department.

Since taking office in January 2002, Governor Warner has made 1,454 job announcements across Virginia, resulting in a combined $13.6 billion in capital investment and more than 133,000 in new and saved jobs for Virginians.

"Today's three job announcements are a sign of Virginia's strong economy and quality workforce," said Governor Warner. "These three announcements reflect different, yet equally vibrant, business sectors across Virginia: semiconductor technology, nuclear energy services, and motorsports."

Micron Technology, Inc. will create 860 new high-tech jobs in Manassas through a $1.2 billion investment. Framatome ANP, Inc. will hire 130 new employees and invest $5 million in the City of Lynchburg. ADi Motorsports, a subsidiary of American Detail, Inc., will expand its race car fabrication, detail and top and body repair work, creating 32 new jobs for Halifax County in Southside Virginia.

Micron Technology, Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Over the course of the past year Micron has completed the initial phase of the fabrication facilities upgrade from 200mm to state-of-the-art 300mm process technology, and Micron is now producing 300mm memory chips in volume at the facilities. The $1.2 billion upgrade will create 860 new high-tech jobs.

Framatome ANP, Inc. is an AREVA Group company, a worldwide energy company based in France. In the United States, AREVA has 8,000 employees and 40 locations. The company is the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a major player in electricity transmission and distribution. Framatome ANP, Inc., a provider of comprehensive nuclear services, will invest $5 million to expand its facility in Lynchburg and create 130 new above-average-paying jobs. "The support from the Governor and the Commonwealth will help us deliver a new generation of energy solutions for the U.S.," said Tom Christopher, President and CEO of Framatome ANP, Inc.

ADi Motorsports will expand its facility in Halifax County and create 32 new positions to do the fabrication, detail and top and body repair for race cars. This expansion includes the launch of a new race team in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). "We are very happy to be a part of what we feel will become a major hotbed for the migration of more race teams," said Hassel Moran, President, ADi Motorsports.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Nov05/1104.htm