CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Joe Manchin and officials from the Van Metre Companies today announced the establishment of Mill Branch Industries and the company’s plans to open a manufacturing facility in Capon Bridge that will initially employ as many as 100 people.

This newly formed West Virginia company will manufacture and distribute residential building components including windows, doors, hardware and roof and floor trusses. Future expansion plans include the addition of 200 - 300 employees. Job seekers and vendors may attend an event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Hampshire County High School Gymnasium, U.S. 50 East, Romney.

"Companies that provide high-quality, good-paying jobs locate in states that offer the best workforce and the right business climate, and our recent actions have sent a strong message that West Virginia is Open for Business,” the governor said. “We appreciate the Van Metre Companies investment and we look forward to helping Mill Branch Industries grow and prosper.”

The company will invest $1.8 million to locate in the 30,000-square-foot Capon Bridge Multi-Tenant Building in the Capon Bridge Technology and Industrial Park along U.S. 50 in Capon Bridge, each recently completed by the Hampshire County Development Authority. Funding for the Hampshire County site included state Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council loans, Industrial Park Assistance Program grants and federal grants secured by U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito from the Appalachian Regional Commission and U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Authority.

“The formation of Mill Branch Industries provides the Van Metre Companies the advantage of supplying quality products and services that go into our award-winning homes, apartments and commercial buildings,” said Albert G. Van Metre, Sr., chairman and CEO. “This year marks our 50th year in business in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, and we continue to seek opportunities to expand and improve our operations. West Virginia is a natural fit.”

Established in 1955, The Van Metre Companies is a privately owned Northern Virginia-based residential development and homebuilding company. It includes Van Meter Homes, which develops award-winning new home communities such as Stone Ridge, Lansdowne on the Potomac and Broadlands and builds nearly 600 new homes annually. Van Metre also develops, builds and manages apartment communities, commercial and retail space; provides mortgage and title services; and building custom homes through its Marquis Custom Homes brand. For more information on the company, visit www.VanMetreHomes.com.

--30--