England Furniture, a New Tazewell, Tenn.-based manufacturer of upholstered furniture, will establish a manufacturing operation, at the 32,000-square-foot Lee County Industrial Building, in Lee County, Va. The project of the La-Z-Boy affiliated company is expected to create 79 new jobs.
“We are delighted to expand our operations into the great state of Virginia,” said Terry England, president, England, Inc. “We would like to thank the state and its various agencies for their support, cooperation, and partnership in this endeavor, and we look forward to operating in Lee County and becoming involved in the community.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Lee County, the Lee County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to secure the project for Virginia. The VCEDA Board of Directors approved a $350,000 loan to the Lee County IDA to assist with the project.
In addition, The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $135,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will also be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
Governor Ralph Northam said, “Manufacturing continues to be a pillar in communities across the Commonwealth because companies recognize the benefits of our strategic location, cost-competitive business climate, and sustainable talent pipeline. This is an important win for Lee County and Southwest Virginia as the region rebounds economically, and we look forward to building a long-lasting corporate partnership with England Furniture.”
“England Furniture’s decision to establish its newest manufacturing operation in Lee County is tremendous news for Southwest Virginia and demonstrates the strong advantages of the region’s business environment and site inventory,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Esther Lee. “The company’s new operation will create needed jobs and economic opportunity in the coalfield region – many thanks for the tireless efforts of Lee County, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, and the Commonwealth to bring this project to fruition. We are confident that England Furniture will benefit from an outstanding workforce in its next chapter of growth in Virginia.”
“We are very pleased and excited to have this opportunity to work with England Furniture to provide much needed jobs in Lee County,” said Greg Edwards, Chairman of the Lee County IDA. “We are well aware of England’s current operations and success and their impact on this region. We look forward to a long relationship with the company to create a more stable economy in Lee County.”
“On behalf of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, I want to congratulate England, Inc. on selecting Lee County for this expansion project,” said Jonathan Belcher, Executive Director/General Counsel, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority.“VCEDA has approved up to a $350,000 loan to the Lee County IDA to help renovate an existing building at Dryden, Virginia for this project, which will provide much needed job opportunities for the citizens of Lee County and the region.”
“Furniture manufacturing has been a key industry in Southwest Virginia, and I’m glad England Furniture will continue this tradition by bringing 79 jobs to Lee County,” said Congressman Morgan Griffith. “England’s manufacturing operation will provide a vital boost to the coalfields’ economy, and in return, the company will find a resilient workforce and great location.”
