HARRISONBURG — A Harrisonburg company will invest $1 million to establish a personal protective equipment manufacturing facility, according to an announcement from Governor Ralph Northam.
Valley Guard Supply LLC, a service-disabled, veteran-owned company, located in Harrisonburg currently makes three-ply disposable masks. The company intends to manufacture other types of safety and security gear in the future, the release said.
The new project investment will create 45 new jobs.
“Domestic manufacturers of personal protective equipment are critical as we battle this global pandemic, and we thank Valley Guard Supply for answering the call right here in Virginia,” Northam said in a release. “The company’s new Harrisonburg operation will play an important role in localizing our supply chain and keeping health care workers and citizens safe. Valley Guard is a veteran-owned small business with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and we extend our gratitude for their service to our Commonwealth and our country.”
Valley Guard Supply is a new start-up manufacturer of personal protective equipment that started in April 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began, the release said. The company was founded by James Madison University Alumni.
“Without a doubt, talent was the driving force behind Valley Guard Supply’s decision to locate its ‘Made in the USA’ operation in Harrisonburg,” Andy Perrine, strategic advisor at Valley Guard Supply, said in a release. “James Madison University’s ranking as Virginia’s best school for getting a job and the university’s programs teaching innovation— most notably JMU X-labs — gives the company great confidence that our plans for growth and expansion can rely on a steady stream of top talent.”
The company has leased a facility in Harrisonburg and is currently purchasing machinery and hiring full-time staff to establish its first permanent location in state, the release said.
Valley Guard has started working with Harrisonburg officials to donate masks to local nonprofits and community organizations serving families in need.
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“We are excited to add this homegrown Virginia company to our roster and thank Valley Guard Supply for creating 45 new jobs in the Shenandoah Valley,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball said in a release. “This project is a great success story of proud JMU alumni with first-hand knowledge of the region’s assets and talent who are committed to the Harrisonburg community and the Commonwealth. We thank Valley Guard for its investment and look forward to our partnership.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Harrisonburg to secure the project for Virginia, and connected Valley Guard Supply with GenEdge, which approved the company for the GO Virginia-funded Retooling Virginia Manufacturers for Strategic Industries Program, the release said.
“We are thrilled to have attracted a ‘Made in the USA’ PPE manufacturer to Harrisonburg,” Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed said in a release. “We love seeing JMU alumni launching businesses in our city, especially when that business is showing its commitment to the health and wellness of our community during a time when that is most needed. It speaks to the impact that the people and beauty of The Friendly City have on students who come to Harrisonburg for college.”
The partnership will support the company's job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs, the release said. The investment program also reduces costs of new and expanding companies and is state-funded, the release said.
“Thanks to Valley Guard for working in partnership with the Commonwealth and the City of Harrisonburg, we have a veteran-owned small business here in the Shenandoah Valley providing more job opportunities,” Senator Mark Obenshain said in a relase. “This project will greatly benefit our region and state with an increase in supply of personal protective equipment, which is critical as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a supporter of small business, I am extremely excited about this announcement.”
Laura Peters is the trending topics reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Or a good feature? You can reach reporter Laura Peters (she/her) at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura. Subscribe to The News Leader at newsleader.com.
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