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~Bayshore Concrete Products to invest $4 million in harbor infrastructure improvement and expansion ~
RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Bayshore Concrete Products, a subsidiary of Skanska USA and producer of quality precast concrete products, will invest $4 million to expand its operation in the Town of Cape Charles in Northampton County. The company’s investment in harbor infrastructure improvements will create 135 new jobs and will allow Bayshore to precast larger concrete components and ship them to customers for transportation and major infrastructure projects. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland, New Jersey and New York for the project.
Speaking in Cape Charles at today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “This critical infrastructure expansion project secures the future viability of Bayshore Concrete Products’ operation in the Town of Cape Charles in Northampton County. The ability to produce and ship larger concrete components will allow the company to win additional major projects, greatly expanding its customer base and increasing competitiveness. Bayshore has thrived in Virginia for more than five decades, and this project secures the existing employee base and adds 135 valuable jobs. This expansion is significant in the long-term, as improvements to the harbor carry extensive benefits not only to Bayshore, but also to other companies on the Eastern Shore, and pave the way for future opportunities for growth for the region.”
“Bayshore Concrete Products has a rich history in Cape Charles and has experienced continued growth since its establishment in 1961,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “This project and resulting infrastructure improvements ensure that the company and the region will thrive for the next 50 years to come.”
Skanska USA is one of the largest, most financially sound construction and development companies in the country, serving a broad range of industries, including healthcare, education, sports, data centers, government, aviation, transportation, power, energy, water/wastewater and commercial. Headquartered in New York with 39 offices across the country, Skanska USA employs more than 8,300 employees committed to sustainable construction and development and an injury-free workplace.Skanska USA consists of four business units: Skanska USA Building, which specializes in building construction; Skanska USA Civil, specialized in civil infrastructure; Skanska Infrastructure Development, which develops public-private partnerships; and Skanska USA Commercial Development, which develops commercial projects in selected U.S. markets. Global revenue of parent company Skanska AB, headquartered in Stockholm and listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, totaled $19.5 billion in 2012.
"The partnership that we have formed with the Town of Cape Charles, Northampton County and the Commonwealth of Virginia made Cape Charles the right choice to pursue the infrastructure improvements needed to make production of our components in Virginia more cost effective and successful,” said Chad A. Saunders, Bayshore Concrete Products Vice President/General Manager. “The 50-plus years of experience with our local workforce, deep water access, and support from officials at the town, county and state will position us to build some of the largest and most complicated precast components in the MidAtlantic and Northeast regions of the United States for the foreseeable future."
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Northampton County and the Town of Cape Charles to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Northampton County and Cape Charles with the project. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity will provide funding and services to support the company’s retrainingactivities, and the company is eligible for rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The company also is eligible to participate in the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
“Northampton County has many talented people seeking work,” said Larry LeMond, Chairman, Northampton County Board of Supervisors. “This expansion by Bayshore Concrete Products will provide valuable employment for our community. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Town of Cape Charles and the Commonwealth of Virginia to not only save a local industry, but to add jobs. This is tremendous.”
“The Town of Cape Charles is happy to participate in this project by providing a significant amount of funding as a local match to the grant,” said Dora Sullivan, Mayor of Cape Charles. “The Town Council and I are pleased with this initiative to grow the local economy and we look forward to additional opportunities to develop businesses that would benefit from our deep water harbor on the Chesapeake Bay.”
