Gov. Spanberger visits the Valley to support business investments, I-81 widening

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Gov. Abigail Spanberger made her way to the Shenandoah Valley on Tuesday morning, with stops around Harrisonburg and Rockingham County highlighting major investments, a local business expansion and the kickoff of a long-awaited widening project on Interstate 81.

City leaders and community members gathered to hear from the governor herself about what all this means for the future of the Valley.

Spanberger announces $100 million investment to build East Coast’s largest feed mill

Spanberger started off with what she called a “moment of celebration” in Linville, where she announced the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative will invest more than $113 million to help expand operations in Rockingham County.

“We’re here to celebrate. We’re celebrating that the cooperative is investing more than $113 million and creating 146 new jobs right here in the Shenandoah Valley,” Spanberger said. “A nearly 2 million cubic foot state-of-the-art feed mill that will carry the largest grain storage capacity on the entire East Coast.”

Spanberger said the broader expansion plan will also include upgrades to the Hinton facility that will increase turkey-processing capacity by 4.5 million birds a year.

“That’s jobs. That’s strength to our community, and importantly, is an investment in an industry that drives so much of the Valley in Virginia,” Spanberger said. “In all seriousness, the story even of the cooperative is inspiring, and because it’s a story of innovation, and entrepreneurship.”

Spanberger breaks ground on $219 million widening of I-81 in Harrisonburg

Later, Spanberger appeared at Rocktown High School for the groundbreaking of a widening project that will expand over six miles of I-81 through Harrisonburg. This is a $219 million project that will add a third lane in each direction, in addition to replacing nine bridges over the interstate.

“The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Transportation recognized the need for expansion and further investment to ease the burden on travelers who feel so much of the impact of congested roadway,” Spanberger said.

This project is scheduled to wrap up in 2032, and the governor said she has faith in the professionalism of VDOT to stay on schedule.

Until then, she encouraged drivers to stay cautious in construction zones.

“Every day, the construction continues. We know that has impact. So the goal here is to work efficiently, and safely,” Spanberger said. “Importantly, I would just remind everyone, while the workers are out on the road, it can be dangerous. Dangerous but essential work. So, please, slow down in those work zones to ensure that they can continue doing their hard work.”

AeroNimble expands with $2.5 million investment in Harrisonburg

To wrap up the day, the governor visited aerospace company AeroNimble, where Spanberger highlighted that the company is investing $2.5 million to expand its operations and create 51 new jobs.

The company specializes in PT6 aircraft engine overhaul and blade component manufacturing, according to a release from Spanberger’s office. She said the overhauls for the engine require between 3,000 and 5,000 hours of work and involve skilled, demanding, highly technical and high-detail work.

AeroNimble has also partnered with Blue Ridge Community College to set salaries and establish guidelines that allows BRCC students to start in entry-level positions at AeroNimble upon graduation.

“It ensures that people in the region can get an extraordinary education, and then find a job that will allow them to continue calling this beautiful place home, and doing extraordinary work that matters not just across the commonwealth, but to aviation across the country, and to the future,” Spanberger said.

During Spanberger’s speech, she said she and city leaders are taking a step toward long-term growth in the region.

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