Spanberger signs bipartisan economic, business development bills

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has signed another wave of bills on Monday, designed to grow Virginia's economy and create new jobs.

On Monday, April 6, Spanberger signed a new set of bipartisan bills into law, supporting economic development projects across the Commonwealth, including the more than $500 million investment in Pittsylvania County announced in February.

The new facility will produce rocket motors for defense, missile systems and the commercial space sectors. It will also serve as the second-largest economic development project in Southern Virginia history, producing over 1,000 jobs.

Spanberger previously signed two sets of new bills over the two weeks. She signed a set of bills focused on healthcare and housing on Tuesday, March 31, and another set focused on school safety and student mental health on Thursday, April 2.

“From my very first day in office, I have been working to create a stable business environment so companies can hire, expand, and continue to invest in our Commonwealth,” Spanberger said in a release. “I am signing these bills into law so we can continue to grow Virginia’s economy and create opportunities for Virginians.”

“Attracting new businesses and jobs to Virginia is a core focus of my administration — and I’m proud of the hundreds of millions of dollars in investment we have already announced this year," she added. "I look forward to continuing to work with legislators, local communities, and business leaders as we make clear that Virginia is the top state in the nation to grow or start a business.” 

Business investment support bills

• HB1531 (Del. Luke Torian), SB835 (Sen. L. Louise Lucas), passed with bipartisan support: Avio USA will invest more than $537 million and create more than 1,500 jobs in Pittsylvania, building solid rocket motors for the defense, tactile propulsion, missile systems, and commercial space sectors.
• HB799 (Del. Luke Torian), SB403 (Sen. L. Louise Lucas), passed with bipartisan support. Hitachi Energy will invest more than $457 million and create more than 825 jobs in Halifax to produce critical electrical grid infrastructure.
• HB800 (Del. Luke Torian), SB404 (Sen. L. Louise Lucas), passed with bipartisan support: Eli Lilly and Company will invest more than $2 billion and create more than 450 jobs in Goochland to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients for cancer, autoimmune, and other advanced therapies.
• HB1076 (Del. Amy Laufer), SB527 (Sen. Creigh Deeds), passed with bipartisan support: AstraZeneca will invest $4 billion and create 500 jobs in Albermarle to manufacture medication for chronic diseases and antibody-drug conjugates.