Virginia's furniture-making history helped it entice a Chinese furniture maker to open its first US factory in the state, fending off challenges from three other states, an official with the state's economic development group said.
"We have a workforce in that part of the state that has a heritage in the furniture industry," Roy Dahlquist, managing director for Asia for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, told China Daily in an interview on Monday. "Having an educated and well trained workforce in that industry was a step up for Virginia in terms of our competition."
Virginia's port system also lured the Chinese investor. "Our Virginia port was important to them - they'll be shipping to other global markets," Dahlquist said.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's office announced that Liaoyang Ningfeng Woodenware Co chose a shuttered furniture plant in Smyth County in Southwest Virginia for its New Ridge LLC factory, which will produce components for Swedish furniture giant IKEA, creating 125 jobs.
Read Entire Story Source: China Daily