Yesterday was an exciting day at Micron Technology Virginia, where I work. Governor Mark Warner and the company made a joint announcement that Micron is going to spend $1.2 billion and hire 860 new workers. It feels great that all our hard work has paid off and that Micron - with the help of Governor Warner -- is going to put more money into our factory. Although I saw lots of county and city officials in the halls yesterday, I did not get a chance to talk to the Governor in Manassas. Luckily, I did attend a campaign rally in Alexandria that evening and had a chance to thank the Governor for all his hard work in helping to make sure that Micron stayed in Virginia. Mark was really happy to talk about his visit to Manassas and proud of this accomplishment. Mark?s bipartisan work with the legislature and with business leaders has helped make Virginia a great place to live and work the past four years. And it will continue to do so over the next four years.
About three weeks ago there was a rumor going around that the Governor was coming to Micron for a visit. When I checked into it I found out that Tim Kaine, in his duties as Lieutenant Governor, had come to negotiate the incentives that would help to keep Micron in Virginia. This is just one example of how Tim has been an active Lieutenant Governor and will build on legacy of Governor Mark R. Warner to unite all Virginians in leading our state forward.
As reported in the Washington Business Journal:
"Micron's decision to locate a 300mm facility in Manassas is a reflection of our belief that the commonwealth of Virginia provides the right environment for business," says Steve Appleton, Micron's chairman, president and CEO, in a prepared statement. "Virginia's commitment to pro-business tax policies and an educated work force are key factors in helping Micron."
As reported in the Washington Post:
"This is a big chunk of high-tech, high-paying jobs. This is what happens when you swing for the fences in economic development," Warner said in an interview. He called Micron's decision to upgrade the Manassas facility "one more step in the emergence of Prince William County as a world-class technology center."
Go Kaine!
Rick Dotson