fbpx

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Driving Economic Transformation

RBW Sports & Classics to Establish New Facility in Virginia

Categories

RBW Sports & Classics to Establish New Facility in Virginia

RBW Sports & Classics to Establish New Facility in Virginia

U.K.-based company will produce its first left-hand drive sports cars for U.S. market in Danville-Pittsylvania County

Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that RBW Sports & Classics, the United Kingdom’s only manufacturer of hand-built electric classic sports cars, will invest $8 million to establish a manufacturing facility at Cane Creek Centre, an industrial park jointly owned by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. The new facility will produce the company’s first left-hand drive RBW EV Roadster and GT models for the U.S. market. The project will create 144 new jobs.

“Entrepreneurial, innovative companies like RBW Sports & Classics are helping put Virginia on the map for cutting-edge industry and jobs,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The talented workforce in the region is a perfect fit for RBW Sports & Classics’ plans. The company’s decision to invest in Virginia reflects the strength of our manufacturing sector, the skill of our workers, the quality of life in the Commonwealth, and the strength of our business climate.”

“This expansion is a testament to Virginia’s top-notch technology and manufacturing workforce and competitive business climate,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “We are proud to see RBW Sports & Classics add its name to the growing list of high-tech automotive companies in Virginia. Virginia is for innovators.”

“Over seven years, RBW (named after my children Rose, Becs, and Wesley) has established itself as a quality manufacturer of new, yet classic/vintage, electric cars and a designer of EV systems,” said Chief Executive Officer of RBW Sports & Classics Peter Swain. “Already selling in Europe, Asia, and even Bermuda, the new facility in Virginia supports RBW’s entry to the U.S. market. We are both excited and honoured to have been offered support from Virginia, and we look forward to making a positive, long-term contribution to the community.”

“Today’s announcement is a milestone moment for Danville and Pittsylvania County,” said Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones. “RBW Sports and Classics’ choice to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility here highlights the strength of our workforce and the appeal of our region. This investment brings valuable new jobs to our community and introduces us to the exciting and evolving world of electric vehicle manufacturing. We are pleased to welcome RBW and look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create.”

“RBW’s decision to establish its first U.S. operation in Pittsylvania County is a significant addition to what our region has to offer,” said Senator Tammy Mulchi. “The international presence they bring is particularly exciting, and we’re honored that a global company like RBW has chosen Southside Virginia.”

“We are excited that RBW Sports and Classics has selected our region for manufacturing their first left-hand drive electric classic sports cars for the U.S. market,” said Delegate Danny Marshall. “They have put together a great blend of classic cars with modern technology. We appreciate the economic boost of 144 new jobs for the community. And, as a car enthusiast, I know there will be much excitement as these sports cars roll out of the manufacturing facility at Cane Creek.”

“Pittsylvania County continues to grow and expand as new businesses and industries establish their facilities here and we are delighted to now welcome RBW Sports & Classics to our community,” said Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Darrell Dalton. “RBW will bring technology-focused jobs to this region and provide our young people with another opportunity to thrive within their home communities. We thank RBW for its decision to bring its innovative and unique product to Southside Virginia and we believe the company will be a great asset to the county and beyond.”

“RBW is a wonderful addition to everything that Pittsylvania County and the region has to offer, and the international flavor that it brings is especially exciting,” said Tunstall District Supervisor and Chairman of the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facilities Authority Vic Ingram. “It is encouraging when companies from all over the world want to establish a corporate relationship with Pittsylvania County and we are thrilled to welcome RBW to our community. We look forward to establishing a long and prosperous relationship with RBW and wish the company future success as it embarks on its new investment in Southside Virginia.”

“Southern Virginia is in the middle of the mobility corridor of the southeastern United States – centered between some of the greatest transportation and energy universities in the world and an excellent skilled workforce to ensure that RBW will excel in their first U.S. operation,” said Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance Linda Green. “They will love our region; our region and the nation will love their cars.”

“The Industrial Development Authority of Danville is thrilled that RBW Electric Cars has selected Danville-Pittsylvania County for their U.S. operations,” said Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority of Danville, Virginia T. Neal Morris. “This $8 million investment is a testimony to the region’s bright future, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities and new jobs RBW will bring to our local residents.”

RBW Sports & Classics Limited was founded in 2017 with the mission of creating and selling the first classic electric sports car. It delivered its first cars in the United Kingdom and internationally in 2022 and opened its first factory in the United Kingdom in 2023 registered as a new EV car manufacturer. While the company currently manufactures electric Roadster and GT models, its patented EV architecture and systems can be installed under other body shells such as the Ford Mustang, Austin Healey, Jaguar E-Type, and many more. For more information, visit www.rbwevcars.com.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville, the Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Development Authority, and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Danville-Pittsylvania County with this project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces CNBC Names Virginia “America’s Top State for Business”

Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces CNBC Names Virginia “America’s Top State for Business”

Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Virginia is ranked “America’s Top State for Business” by CNBC. The annual ranking measures all 50 states on 128 different metrics in 10 key categories of competitiveness to determine which states are delivering most effectively on the things that mean the most to business.

“When a business chooses to invest and grow in Virginia, we’re promising best-in-class talent, infrastructure, power solutions and business-friendly environment. Our administration has facilitated waves of economic investment and business expansions to reinvigorate growth and opportunity across Virginia. The Commonwealth has experienced record job growth and has welcomed companies committing over $74 billion in capital investment from major corporations like Amazon Web Services, The LEGO Group, Raytheon and Boeing, along with major expansions from others like Hilton, Northrop Grumman and Framatome,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Economic development is a team sport, and Virginia’s made giant strides in business-ready sites, workforce development, regulatory reduction, infrastructure investment and all-of-the-above power solutions. I am thrilled that our great Commonwealth has been named America’s Top State for Business.”

Since day one, Governor Youngkin’s constant effort to make Virginia more affordable for families and a comprehensive focus on improving our business ecosystem has included $5 billion in tax relief to Virginians, reforming and consolidating workforce development efforts to focus on job creation and preserving Virginia’s Right-to-Work status, implementing an All-American All-of-the-Above Energy Plan to meet the power demands of a growing Commonwealth, historic investments in business-ready site development, robust infrastructure improvements and empowering excellence in education with multiple pathways for students to succeed.

Virginia’s premier talent base makes for a world-class labor pool ready to meet business needs. The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, ranked the No. 1 Customized Workforce Training Program in the U.S. by Business Facilities in 2023 and 2024, and Virginia’s historic Tech Talent Investment Program are helping Virginia build the workforce of the future. Virginia is competing to win with more than $550 million funded for site development to accelerate construction and deepen the inventory of shovel-ready sites for employers before they come to Virginia. Site readiness has been the deciding factor for numerous major recent Virginia wins, including the LEGO Group.

“With top talent from high-ranking universities to robust supply chain infrastructure and a friendly business climate, Virginia has the perfect combination to make it a clear choice for business investment. I am thrilled that CNBC has recognized the huge efforts on many fronts that make Virginia America’s Top State for Business,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick.

“Being named America’s Top State for Business is a testament to the incredible progress being made throughout the Commonwealth, not least by the many thousands of businesses who call Virginia home,” said VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi. “This recognition is years in the making, and I am incredibly grateful to all of our state, regional, and local partners that contributed to this distinction.”

For the first time, CNBC weighted infrastructure — including availability of shovel-ready sites — as the most important component for businesses when deciding on investment and cited the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, in addition to Virginia’s world-class port, rail, roadway, and air transportation ecosystem as major contributors to the recognition. In addition to infrastructure and workforce, the categories for the 2024 CNBC ranking include economy, quality of life, cost of doing business, technology and innovation, business friendliness, education, access to capital, and cost of living. Virginia has previously been named America’s Top State for Business by CNBC in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019, and 2021.

Article courtesy of the Office of the Governor 

 

SOVA Task Force Offers Workforce Solutions

SOVA Task Force Offers Workforce Solutions

The SOVA Task Force offered a Workforce Solutions weekly webinar series in May as an extension of the Bridge to Recovery Grant provided by GO Virginia Region 3. The series provided employers with resources and best practices regarding today’s workforce.

“Amid all the pressures facing our businesses in the wake of COVID, solutions for workforce-related issues are repeatedly sought,” said Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA). “Therefore, we convened experts and resources to assist with these Human Resources needs.”

The Workforce Solutions webinar series addressed Childcare, Afterschool Care and Elder Care; Recruiting and Onboarding Employees; Trainings, Apprenticeships, Internships and Re-entry Programs; Higher Education, Skill Sets, Certifications and Recertifications; and Retention, Promotion and Advancement.

During one webinar, Steve Youll of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Talent Attraction Program shared how talent attraction has evolved with increased expectations by candidates. He said “72% of job seekers report sharing negative candidate experiences online” and “55% of candidates will avoid certain companies after reading negative online reviews.”

Moderators included workforce experts Dr. Julie Brown of IALR and Robbie Knight of Virginia Career Works-West Piedmont. The series was originated, organized and marketed by the SOVA COVID-19 Task Force, which is managed by the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance.

Recordings are available at svra.org under COVID-19 Economic Resources. In the future, similar programs will be provided in the eastern part of the GO Virginia Region 3 service area.

The SOVA Task Force webinars are part of the GO Virginia Region 3 Bridge to Recovery Grant. Regional employers like Axxor have adapted to the impact of COVID while continuing safe operations.