Governor Kaine Announces 85 New
Jobs for Hanover County
– Coffee and tea supplier to
invest $40.1 million in Virginia operation –
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M.
Kaine today announced that Mother Parkers Tea &
Coffee Inc. will invest $40.1 million to open a
roasting facility in the Town of Ashland in Hanover
County, creating 85 jobs. The company will roast and
package coffee for both retail and food service
industries, as well as produce flavored coffee,
organic coffee, fair trade coffee, infused coffee
and iced and hot tea products. Virginia successfully
competed with Maryland and North Carolina for the
project.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Mother Parkers Tea &
Coffee to Virginia,” said Governor Kaine. “Hanover
County’s proximity to the company’s current customer
base as well as the Commonwealth’s business climate
both drove the company’s decision for Virginia. The
value of the Port of Virginia in economic
development was underscored as Mother Parkers plans
to bring the bulk of its green coffee and raw tea
through our port.”
Established in 1912 and headquartered in
(Toronto) Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, privately
owned Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee has grown into a
leading expert in traditional and specialty coffee,
tea and complementary beverage solutions for the
retail and food service industries. Mother Parkers'
operations have seen steady expansion over the
decades with operations in (Toronto) Mississauga,
Ontario and Fort Worth, Texas. Mother Parkers Tea &
Coffee Inc. employs approximately 450 people in its
Canadian operations and 150 people in the United
States.
“Mother Parkers is thrilled to open a Virginia
facility,” said Michael Higgins, Co-Chief Executive
Officer, Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc. “In
addition to the proximity of the Port of Virginia,
the superior workforce in Hanover County and the
business-friendly climate prevalent in the
Commonwealth sealed the deal.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership
worked with the Town of Ashland, Hanover County
Economic Development and the Greater Richmond
Partnership to secure the project for Virginia.
Governor Kaine approved $200,000 from the Governor’s
Opportunity Fund to assist Hanover County with the
project. The Virginia Department of Business
Assistance will provide training assistance through
the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“Hanover County is proud to be the location of
choice for Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, especially
following such a thorough and competitive search for
a location that would provide the perfect setting
for a company of such quality,” said Mr. Aubrey
“Bucky” Stanley, Chairman of the Hanover County
Board of Supervisors. “This new investment in our
community represents a true partnership between
Mother Parkers, the county and the Town of Ashland
officials and staff. Both jurisdictions and the
company made significant contributions to identify
the perfect site, and create a unique,
problem-solving team to ensure the perfect
environment for this very unique building. Hanover
County looks forward to Mother Parkers involvement
in our community and more partnership opportunities
with the Town of Ashland.”
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