Mining equipment manufacturer invests $8.5 million to increase production in Virginia
Simmons Equipment Company has announced plans to expand manufacturing operations in Russell County, Virginia. The company, which manufactures specialty mining equipment, will invest $8.5 million into the project, creating 75 new jobs in the process. Simmons Equipment Company hopes the expansion will help it meet increasing customer demand for soft rock machinery. To help aid the project, the company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit. In addition, a $270,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund will be used to assist Russell County with this project.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Simmons Equipment Company President/CEO Matt Simmons said, “We are thrilled to be expanding our operations into Russell County. Our business has been growing into new markets worldwide, and this additional manufacturing capacity will allow us to aggressively pursue those opportunities. After an extensive search, we are excited to continue our growth here in Southwest Virginia. We were highly impressed with the efforts of the Russell County Industrial Development Authority, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, and the Commonwealth of Virginia to support us in this exciting endeavor. We look forward to being part of the growing business community in Russell County.”
Governor Glenn Youngkin added, “We thank Simmons Equipment Company for their continued commitment to Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth. This expansion demonstrates that manufacturing growth continues to accelerate, and Virginia offers the strategic location to meet growing demand from international customers.”
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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