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Valley Guard Supply to produce PPE in Harrisonburg

03 Mar '21

3 min read

Pic: Valley Guard Supply

Valley Guard Supply is setting up a personal protective equipment manufacturing facility in the City of Harrisonburg with an investment of $1 million. A service-disabled, veteran-owned company, Valley Guard produces three-ply disposable masks that are totally made in the US and intends to produce other types of safety and security gear in the future.

“Domestic manufacturers of personal protective equipment are critical as we battle this global pandemic, and we thank Valley Guard Supply for answering the call right here in Virginia,” Ralph Northam, governor of Virginia said in a press release. “The company’s new Harrisonburg operation will play an important role in localising our supply chain and keeping health care workers and citizens safe. Valley Guard is a veteran-owned small business with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and we extend our gratitude for their service to our Commonwealth and our country.”

Founded by James Madison University alumni, Valley Guard Supply is a new start-up manufacturer of personal protective equipment that launched in April 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic began. The company has leased a facility, is purchasing machinery, and hiring full-time staff to establish its first permanent location in Virginia. Valley Guard is also working with Harrisonburg officials to donate masks to local nonprofits and community organisations serving families in need.

“We are excited to add this homegrown Virginia company to our roster and thank Valley Guard Supply for creating 45 new jobs in the Shenandoah Valley,” Brian Ball, secretary of commerce and trade, said. “This project is a great success story of proud JMU alumni with first-hand knowledge of the region’s assets and talent who are committed to the Harrisonburg community and the Commonwealth. We thank Valley Guard for its investment and look forward to our partnership.”

“Without a doubt, talent was the driving force behind Valley Guard Supply’s decision to locate its ‘Made in the USA’ operation in Harrisonburg,” said Andy Perrine, strategic advisor at Valley Guard Supply. “James Madison University’s ranking as Virginia’s best school for getting a job and the university’s programmes teaching innovation—most notably JMU X-labs—gives the company great confidence that our plans for growth and expansion can rely on a steady stream of top talent.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with the City of Harrisonburg to secure the project for Virginia, and connected Valley Guard Supply with GenEdge, which has since approved the company for the GO Virginia-funded Retooling Virginia Manufacturers for Strategic Industries Programme. VEDP will support Valley Guard’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Programme (VJIP), which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

“We are thrilled to have attracted a ‘Made in the USA’ PPE manufacturer to Harrisonburg,” Deanna Reed, Harrisonburg mayor said in the release. “We love seeing JMU alumni launching businesses in our city, especially when that business is showing its commitment to the health and wellness of our community during a time when that is most needed. It speaks to the impact that the people and beauty of The Friendly City have on students who come to Harrisonburg for college.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)

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Valley Guard Supply to produce PPE in Harrisonburg

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