DUFFIELD, VA (OCTOBER 14, 2021) — A $100,000 grant to the Scott County Economic Development Authority to be used for workforce development and training needs to support an expansion by Tempur Sealy in that county which is projected to create 25 additional jobs within two years was closed recently by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
Tempur Sealy is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of bedding products. The company’s highly recognized brand portfolio includes Tempur-Pedic, Sealy® featuring Posturepedic® Technology, and Stearns & Foster®. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, Tempur Sealy operates two manufacturing facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Duffield, Virginia, employing more than 5,000 throughout the United States, with more than 300 employees at its Duffield facility.
The Duffield facility was the first U.S. manufacturing plant for Tempur-Pedic, having been recruited to the area around 20 years ago by VCEDA, Scott County and the LENOWISCO planning district.
“On behalf of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, we would like to congratulate Tempur Sealy on its expansion in Scott County,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “Since locating in the region two decades ago, this operation has been a tremendous asset for the entire region, providing excellent employment opportunities for the citizens of Scott County and Southwest Virginia. We look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
Tempur Sealy has expanded a number of times since opening in Scott County in 2001. Its latest expansion was first announced in March by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who noted Tempur Sealy International, Inc. would invest $16.7 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Scott County, increasing production to meet growing demand for its proprietary foam mattress and pillow products.
Virginia successfully competed with New Mexico for the project. The new expansion will enable the Duffield plant to increase its production and support the growth of Tempur Sealy products. The expansion is expected to be essentially complete by the end of the year and the capacity increase realized by 2022.
“We have developed a strong relationship with the community and we are fortunate to have a well-educated workforce committed to excellence in quality, safety, productivity and environmental compliance. I want to thank the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Scott County for facilitating this project,” said Scott Thompson, Tempur Sealy Chairman and CEO.
“We are tremendously proud of Tempur Sealy as they continue to invest and provide high paying jobs in Scott County and the region,” said Scott County Economic Development Director John Kilgore. “We are elated to provide support, once again, to Tempur Sealy on this fourth expansion of their facility, which is the largest manufacturing plant in the VCEDA region. Thank you to the dedicated people of Tempur Sealy, the Commonwealth of Vrginia, VCEDA, and TVA for continuing to support this quality manufacturing company.”
The $100,000 grant from VCEDA is being funded from the VCEDA Workforce Development and Training Fund, which is derived from the Coalfield Employment Enhancement Tax Credit.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.