Tomatoes, Excavator Attachments, and Night Vision Makers Bring 178 Jobs To Virginia

Mar 08, 2025

03/07/2025

Oasthouse Ventures Ltd., a UK-based business development firm specializing in low-carbon greenhouses, will invest $104.8 million in Carroll County, Virginia to establish its first U.S.-based controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation. The company plans to produce and package over 45 million pounds of tomatoes for distribution to major retailers throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest United States. In keeping with its focus on sustainability, Oasthouse Ventures plans to source more than 31,000 tons annually of Virginia-grown hardwood residuals from local sawmills to heat its greenhouses. The CEA operation will create 118 new jobs.

“Our Carroll County facility represents a major step toward building a network of large-scale, sustainable indoor farming operations that will supply American-grown fresh produce across the eastern United States,” said Oasthouse Ventures Senior Development Manager Ben Alexander. “Our first greenhouse spanning 65 acres — nearly seven times the footprint of Lane Stadium — is only the beginning of our ambition to reshore fresh produce production closer to the end consumer, whilst creating jobs and prosperity for the region. Our vision is for the very best produce to be grown in the United States using the latest technology. With additional locations in development, we are very excited to play our part in ensuring the United States remain a global leader in agriculture. Additionally, we would like to extend our thanks to Governor Youngkin, Secretary Lohr, VEDP, VDACS, and BRCEDA for their support throughout this process.”

“Oasthouse Ventures’ decision to locate its U.S. operations in Virginia is a testament to the advantages that make the Commonwealth the best location in the country for Controlled Environment Agriculture,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This project is a technological leap forward and helps solidify Virginia as a leader in the agriculture and technology industries. I am pleased to welcome Oasthouse Ventures to Virginia and look forward to their growth.”

“Indoor farming is responsibly changing the way that we make local, sustainable produce for our communities,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Not only will Oasthouse Ventures create more than 100 jobs for Virginians, but it will also use local hardwood residuals as a heating source for its greenhouses. We are proud to welcome Oasthouse Ventures to the Commonwealth and thank them for their efforts in advancing the controlled environment agriculture industry in Virginia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Mount Rogers Regional Partnership, Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority and Carroll County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $550,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, as well as a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund to assist Carroll County with this project.

Strickland Manufacturing, a manufacturer and distributor of excavator and loader equipment attachments, will invest $3.3 million to expand its existing facility in Goochland County. Based in Northern Ireland, the company’s Virginia location opened in 2012 and is considered the company’s U.S headquarters. Strickland Manufacturing supplies its excavator and loader equipment attachments to companies like John Deere, Komatsu, Volvo, Case, Caterpillar, Liebherr, Hitachi, and Hyundai among others. It focuses primarily on construction, agriculture, demolition, mining, recycling, and landscaping-related equipment. The company ships around 11,000 orders annually to their North American dealer network. This expansion will create 20 new jobs.

“We look forward to expanding our business in partnership with Goochland County,” said Strickland MFG President Sean O’Reilly.

“We are proud to have Strickland Manufacturing’s U.S. headquarters in Virginia,” said Gov. Youngkin. “Every time a manufacturer chooses to expand here, it signifies a key step forward in our ongoing commitment to driving economic growth, creating high-quality jobs, and supporting industries that fuel innovation and progress.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Goochland County to secure the project for Virginia will support Strickland Manufacturing’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

In other news, ViDARR Inc., a manufacturer of defense optical equipment, plans to $2.69 million over the next three years to open a new manufacturing facility in the City of Virginia Beach. The project will create 40 new jobs. Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, the company manufactures and assembles advanced defense technologies, including night vision goggles, thermal optics, and autonomous systems.

“ViDARR is proud to open a new, state-of-the-art facility in Virginia Beach,” said ViDARR Inc. President Cliff Byrd. “Our new Virginia headquarters will provide advanced solutions tailored to the unique needs of the region’s vast defense sector. This expansion will support our growing production and distribution capabilities while allowing us to collaborate with local businesses to drive economic growth. As we settle into our new home, ViDARR is excited to deepen our impact in the Virginia Beach area. This is more than a move—it’s a commitment to a brighter, more connected future for all.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads Alliance on the project. VEDP will support ViDARR’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. “The City of Virginia Beach is excited to support the expansion of leading defense manufacturer ViDARR,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. “Their commitment to creating dozens of new full-time jobs and significant capital investment further strengthens our city’s economic vitality. Companies like ViDARR are vital to the success of our growing defense industry, and we look forward to their continued innovation and contributions to our local economy.” “We are thrilled to welcome ViDARR, INC. to Virginia Beach, further strengthening Hampton Roads’ position as a premier hub for military and defense innovation,” said Hampton Roads Alliance President and CEO Doug Smith. “ViDARR’s cutting-edge night vision, thermal optics and autonomous systems align perfectly with the needs of our defense partners. Hampton Roads’ defense ecosystem, bolstered by world-class military installations, a skilled workforce and a dynamic industry network, makes this region the ideal location for companies advancing next-generation military technologies.”

Aerospace/Defense/Aviation, AgriBusiness, Agriculture, Agritech, Capital Investment, Economic Development, Featured, Foreign Direct Investment, Incentives, Taxes & Financing, Industries, Manufacturing, Single Location, Site Selection Factors, USA - Southeast, Virginia

Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority, Carroll County, City of Virginia Beach, Defense Optical Equipment, Goochland County, Hampton Roads Alliance, Mount Rogers Partnership, Night Vision, Oasthouse Ventures Ltd, Single Location, Strickland Manufacturing, ViDARR, Virginia, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

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