James City County is pleased that Governor Ralph Northam announced Navien, Inc. (Navien), a leader in the field of condensing technology, will invest $77.5 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing and assembly operation for water heaters and boilers in the former Lumber Liquidators facility located at 3000 John Deere Road in the Stonehouse Commerce Park. The company will triple the footprint of the existing building, bringing it to nearly 900,000 square feet. Virginia successfully competed with Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania for the project, which will create 180 new jobs.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with James City County, the Greater Williamsburg Partnership (GWP) and the Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved an $850,000 performance-based grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the County with the project. The company is also eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.
“On behalf of the James City County Board of Supervisors, I am excited to welcome Navien to the County. Their investment is the highest in James City County in nearly two decades. I am pleased that our Economic Development staff assisted VEDP in attracting foreign investment to James City County,” said Board of Supervisors Chair James Icenhour.
“Navien’s decision to locate its first U.S. manufacturing operation in James City County demonstrates the competitive advantage that Virginia offers to international companies looking to expand into new markets,” said Governor Northam. “This project is an important win for the Greater Williamsburg region and our Commonwealth, as Navien will bring a key facility back into productive use, create 180 high-quality jobs and utilize the nearby Port of Virginia as its gateway to the world.”
Navien, a U.S. subsidiary of Seoul-based KD Navien, is one of the fastest growing companies in the home comfort sector in North America. The company has over 40 years of experience with advanced boiler and water heating technology. Navien is a leader in condensing technology and providing condensing and non-condensing tankless water heaters, combi-boilers, and boilers that have state-of-the-art technology, high efficiency and reliable quality.
“Navien’s decision is good news for the Commonwealth and great news for James City,” said Senator Thomas K. Norment Jr. “By locating here and choosing to triple the size of an existing facility, Navien has demonstrated its confidence in the quality of our workforce and made a sound and wise investment.”
Delegate Amanda Batten said, “I am pleased to welcome Navien to James City County. Their investment in our community is a testament to James City County’s favorable business climate and highly qualified workforce.”
County Administrator Scott Stevens said, “James City County is pleased to welcome a state-of-the-art green manufacturing company like Navien. I am excited with the investment and high-wage jobs they are bringing to our community. We look forward to building a great relationship with Navien.”
“These are exciting times for James City County and the Greater Williamsburg region as a preferred business location,” said Voncile “Von” Gilbreath, director of the GWP. “Navien is an innovative, international company bringing $77.5 million in investment and 180 new jobs which will broaden our region’s industrial base and utilize one of the state’s key assets—the Port of Virginia. The collaborative efforts of James City County, VEDP, GWP and the Port of Virginia has successfully landed Navien bringing economic growth and prosperity to Greater Williamsburg and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Support for Navien’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a new workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System, with funding support from the Northam administration and the Virginia General Assembly. Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation. Navien is the fourth company to benefit from the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program.
For more information about KD Navien, please visit their website.
You may view the Governor’s press release online.
James City County is proud to be home to multiple manufacturing companies including Anheuser-Busch, Ball, Coresix Precision Glass, Greystone, Nicewood Enterprises, Owens-Illinois, Printpack and the Williamsburg Winery. Business opportunities have existed in the County since 1607. For more information about business in James City County, please visit its economic development website.
Media Contact:
Christopher Johnson, Director of Economic Development
757-345-1196; christopher.johnson@jamescitycountyva.gov