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Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Microporous LLC, a leading manufacturer of battery separators, will invest $1.35 billion to establish a new manufacturing facility in Pittsylvania County. The company will develop two phases of the project on Lot 1 of the Southern Virginia Megasite, each phase being approximately 550,000 square feet. This project will create 2,015 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.

“I am thrilled to see Microporous choose Pittsylvania County for this groundbreaking investment. The creation of over 2,000 jobs and the expansion of advanced manufacturing in our region is a major victory for our community and highlights the strength of Southern Virginia’s workforce and infrastructure,” said Senator Tammy Mulchi. “This project will not only boost our local economy but also create new opportunities for families across the region to thrive for years to come. I look forward to supporting Microporous as they grow and succeed here in the Commonwealth.”

“We are at a pivotal moment for the 48th District, and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the groundbreaking of this project,” said Delegate Eric Phillips. “The dedication of our local economic development teams in Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville, alongside the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, has been instrumental in bringing us to this point. Microporous is the perfect partner for this venture, and I have full confidence that their leadership will enhance our community. I extend my gratitude to Governor Youngkin and our state partners for their unwavering support. I also want to acknowledge Delegate Danny Marshall for his tireless efforts in securing the necessary resources to make this vision a reality. This project marks the first step in a transformative journey for our region, positioning us as a hub for advanced manufacturing in Virginia’s future.” 

“It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome Microporous to the Southern Virginia Megasite and Pittsylvania County. I want to credit our economic development team, the Regional Industrial Facility Authority and the City of Danville with facilitating this announcement,” said Darrell Dalton, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. “Microporous brings a new level of technological advancement to our business community as well as high paying jobs that offer another opportunity for our young people to remain and raise families in and near their hometowns. Microporous will also provide the County with added revenue to better serve our citizens. We look forward to many years of Microporous’ growth and success and Pittsylvania County is honored to be part of that journey.”

“This announcement of the first tenant in the Southern Virginia Megasite represents years of collaboration, hard work, and determination between Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville, our state representatives, and regional partners,” said Vic Ingram, Tunstall District Supervisor, chair of the Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority. “A U.S.-headquartered company, Microporous will bring more than 2,000 high paying, highly skilled jobs to Pittsylvania County and the entire Southside region, providing a substantial boost to the economy in a multitude of ways. We are thrilled that Microporous decided to locate at Berry Hill, as their investment will highlight the advantages to the Megasite, and signal to other businesses and corporations that Pittsylvania County is a great place to do business.”

“We welcome Microporous to Virginia and our region as it launches this transformative project,” said Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones. “The significant investment and job creation represent a major step forward for our region, positioning us at the forefront of advanced manufacturing in the lithium-ion battery industry. This partnership strengthens our local economy and underscores Virginia’s commitment to fostering innovation and growth. We look forward to supporting Microporous and seeing the positive impact this facility will have on our community for years to come.”

Microporous, headquartered in Piney Flats, Tennessee, is a manufacturer, developer, and marketer of battery separators, plastics, and engineered materials. The company plans to build on its core strength of lead battery separators and transition into lithium-ion battery separators, which are used in automotive starting-lighting-ignition (SLI), automotive start-stop, motive power, and stationary power applications.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Pittsylvania County, the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a substantial grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Pittsylvania County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved a grant from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund for the project.

Microporous is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program and the Virginia Port Tax Credits Program. The company is also eligible for the Research and Development Expenses Tax Credit.

Support for  Microporous’ job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, ranked the No. 1 Customized Workforce Training Program in the United States by Business Facilities in 2024. The program, created by VEDP in collaboration with higher education partners, accelerates new facility startups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

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