Existing steel business in Virginia to create 38 new jobs in Botetourt County

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that Canatal Steel USA, a subsidiary of Canada-based Canatal Industries and a producer of steel structure fabrication, will invest $1.5 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Botetourt County. The expansion project will create 38 new jobs.

“Canatal Steel USA’s expansion is a great testament to Virginia’s business environment and infrastructure that promotes the success of businesses of all sizes,” said McAuliffe. “The advanced manufacturing industry is booming across the Commonwealth, and the momentum continues to grow as we focus on strengthening this critical sector that creates jobs and skillsets of the 21st century. Canatal Steel’s growth is evidence that small businesses can thrive in the Commonwealth as we continue to diversify and build a new Virginia economy.”

After landing several major contracts in the northeast U.S. and expanding in Canada, the company opened its first U.S. plant, Canatal Steel USA, in Botetourt County in 2010, allowing for further expansion along the Eastern Seaboard. Today, Canatal Steel USA has more than 160,000-square-feet of facilities dedicated to steel fabrication and employs more than 80 highly skilled workers.

“The Roanoke Valley is strategically located for our growing market and there is good quality labor for fabrication and assembly of structural steel,” said Canatal Industries president Ralph Poulin. “Also, transport costs are greatly reduced for our projects in DC, South Carolina and North Carolina, which will make Canatal more competitive in obtaining contracts.”

According to the news release, Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Botetourt County and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project, and will support Canatal’s new job creation through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP).

VJIP provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs or experiencing technological change to support employee 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 its residents, the news release from the governor stated.