Reporter: Sally Delta
Lynchburg, VA – Gov. McDonnell announced Friday Tessy Plastics is investing millions to expand its Lynchburg facility.
Tessy, based in central New York, is putting $4.8 million into its Central Virginia plant and bringing another 60 jobs to the area.
Tessy plans to break ground on the expansion as early as next week. Lynchburg city leaders could barely contain their excitement Friday morning at the announcement.
"Just go spread the word that our arms are open for business," said Mayor Joan Foster at the announcement.
"I'm feeling pretty good. This is a great day," said Ken Beck, president of Tessy Plastics in Lynchburg.
Tessy Plastics has three locations: New York, China and Virginia.
"A worldwide company could have chosen anywhere to expand. But they chose to expand right here in Lynchburg," said Jim Cheng, Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "It's due to the proximity to the customer base, ability to expand the current facility and confidence and longevity of this Lynchburg operation."
Tessy makes things like tire pressure sensors, firefighter masks and aircraft interiors. For 15 years, it's kept much of Lynchburg working. But when the economy took a hit a few years ago, they did too.
"We had a major layoff and we had to refocus our business on some of the other molding available to us. And it was a long, hard road," said Beck.
They had to let 30 employees go, and now they hope to bring those employees back and more.
"If that's possible,e and they haven't found previous employment and they want to come back, we'll hire them back," said Beck.
For Lynchburg, it's a turn for the better. Many are feeling optimistic the trend will continue.
"Everywhere we seem to turn, business people seem to get it that Lynchburg is the city of opportunity and a good place to do business," said H. Carey from the Lynchburg City Council.
To qualify for one of those new positions, Beck says they're looking for technicians that understand the plastic industry. They hope to finish the expansion in roughly 4 months.
