GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES 30 NEW JOBS IN
BLAND COUNTY
~ ABB’s Bland County expansion one of two totaling $28.3 million in Virginia ~
RICHMOND- Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that ABB, the leading technologybased
provider of power and automation products, systems, solutions and services, will invest $3
million to expand its plant in Bland County. The facility, which produces dry and vacuum cast
transformers which are used by industrial manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities, the
military and utilities, will create 30 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed internationally
against China, South Korea and Spain for the project.
Governor Kaine also announced today ABB’s expansion plans at its Halifax County
facility. Combined, the announcements bring 157 new jobs and a $28.3 million investment to
Virginia.
“I want to thank ABB for creating a total of 157 new jobs for Virginians,” said Governor
Kaine. “Virginia’s proactive business climate has facilitated the continued success of the
company in the Commonwealth. This announcement makes ABB’s second Bland County
expansion in the past three years, and the company is one of the largest employers in the region.”
“The ABB Bland facility was selected because of our employees' dedication to
continuous improvement and their recognition in the industry for high-quality products and
service” said Laura Kennedy, Vice President and General Manager, ABB Bland Facility. “Our
strategy is simple: to provide quality products and services which meet or exceed our customers’
expectations. This strategy has provided continued business growth and stimulated an
enthusiastic, driven workforce which protects our role as the world’s leading manufacturer of
dry-type medium voltage transformers.”
The expansion at the Bland facility will provide increased manufacturing capacity.
ABB says growing demand for large wind turbines has triggered a corresponding rise in demand
for dry type transformers. Dry type transformers are utilized in large wind turbines because they
can be placed inside the nacelle close to the generator as opposed to on the ground, eliminating
the need for additional cables.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility
and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. In the
United States, ABB employs more than 8,500 workers in 32 states and is headquartered in
Norwalk, Connecticut. Worldwide, the ABB Group, headquartered in Zurich, employs about
105,000 people in approximately 100 countries.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Bland County to secure
the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $75,000 grant from the Governor’s
Opportunity Fund to assist Bland County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification
and Community Revitalization Commission approved $75,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity
Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will also support the
project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
“The County of Bland is well pleased to host another existing industry expansion within our
community… We feel that ABB’s continued investment is a strong indication of Bland County’s
world-class workforce and Virginia’s pro-business environment,” stated Henry M. Blessing,
Chairman, Bland County Board of Supervisors. “The cooperation between the Bland County
EDA, the Governor’s Office, the Tobacco Commission, VEDP and DBA was perfectly
orchestrated to deliver the suite of services necessary to support this expansion and ensure
ABB’s on going success.”

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