Another Win for Manufacturing in the Commonwealth

In March 2018, England Furniture announced its new manufacturing facility in Lee County, with the aim of creating 79 new jobs within five years.

The community of proactive, collaborative partners eager to support the company’s investment and gain much-needed jobs for the region was a key factor in England’s decision to locate in Southwest Virginia.

Virginia worked with the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, Lee County, and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to structure a competitive incentives package and prepare the vacant facility for a quick turnaround. State and local partners such as the Virginia Employment Commission, Southwest Virginia Workforce Board, and Mountain Empire Community College proactively identified available talent in the region, conducted a job fair, and assisted the company with training for its ramp-up.

The company has hired 65 new employees to date, surpassing its four-year job projection in just one year. With its sustainable talent pipeline and supportive education institutions, Lee County will continue to supply England Furniture and other high-caliber manufacturers with the skilled workforce to sustain growth in Southwest Virginia.