VA: C.A.S.T. to Invest $35M, Open Manufacturing Facility, Hire 300

The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, the Campbell County Board of Supervisors, and Commonwealth Applied Silica Technologies announced the location of a new manufacturing facility in Campbell County.

Development grants to support the project are being awarded by the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, Campbell County and the Department of Business Assistance. Two industrial development grants, one from the Tobacco Commission and one from Campbell County, will aid in the development and construction of a manufacturing facility in Campbell County, located on a portion of the former Archer Creek Intermet Facility off of Mt. Athos Road. In addition to these grants, C.A.S.T. will receive Virginia Jobs Investment Program funds for workforce training. C.A.S.T.’s capital investment in the facility and commitment in creating additional jobs was a key component to receiving the grants. This new center will add up to $35 million in capital investment including building renovations, building expansion and new machinery and tools. It will likewise create up to 300 new jobs over the next 36 months. The facility in Campbell County will process silica ore and extract high value components for resale.

“We are very pleased to be locating our new facility here in Campbell County. We believe its location and workforce make it an ideal place for our firm and its future. We are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship here in Central Virginia,” stated C. Richard Scales, Jr. President, Commonwealth Applied Silica Technologies (C.A.S.T.). Mr. Scales, an E. C. Glass High School Alum, is glad to be returning to the area to manage the facility.

American Alliance Financial & Funding Group, LLC. will be supplying Silica ore and processing technologies to C.A.S.T. at its Campbell location. AAFFG's CEO Steven Cross stated “I am very pleased to be working with Campbell County and Virginia via our subsidiary C.A.S.T."

Local elected officials also expressed support for the project.

"Our region continues to demonstrate its attractiveness to manufacturing firms that want to grow, expand, and prosper. Commonwealth Applied Silica Technologies has made the right choice to locate in Campbell County, investing millions that will add to our prosperity and bringing jobs that will benefit hundreds of our families,” remarked Delegate Kathy Byron (22nd District). “As a member of the Tobacco Commission, I am pleased that we provided essential funding to make this announcement possible, furthering our mission of encouraging the economic revitalization of our region."

“Campbell County is delighted with C.A.S.T.’s decision to locate their manufacturing center in Campbell County,” stated Eddie Gunter Jr., Board of Supervisors member, representing the Concord election district. “The creation of new, good jobs and the capital investment is great news as is the repurposing of a portion of the former foundry site. We’re happy to assist the project and look forward to a long working relationship.”

The Region 2000 Economic Development Council, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and the Department of Business Assistance also assisted with this project.

The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission is a 31-member body created by the 1999 General Assembly to promote economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities, using proceeds of the national tobacco settlement. To date, the Commission has awarded 1,578 grants totaling more than $939 million across the tobacco region of the Commonwealth, and has made available nearly $299 million in indemnification payments to tobacco growers and quota holders. For information on the Commission’s history, mission, funding programs and recent grant awards, visit our website at www.tic.virginia.gov or call toll free (877) 807-1086.