Tobacco Company Creating Almost 200 Jobs In Danville

Source from:  WFMY News 2 Greensboro 10/10/2009

Danville, VA-- Danville Mayor Sherman M. Saunders and JTI Leaf Services announced Thursday, the creation of 39 full-time and 150 seasonal jobs in the Danville area with the opening of JTI Leaf Services. The facility will procure and process U.S. leaf tobacco. To meet the needs of JTI Leaf Services, the company will begin to prepare the building for operation immediately, and expects the new facility to officially open this winter. The company will begin filling seasonal positions in May 2010 and will make employment information public prior to that time. The announcement included a commitment from the state to provide a $100,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund and up to $250,000 in funding from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. "We are excited to become a part of the Danville community, bringing new jobs and new energy to the area," said Steve Daniels, President of JTI Leaf Services. "The area has a long and rich history in the tobacco industry and is home to a very experienced workforce. We look forward to creating new opportunities for Danville residents and developing long-standing relationships with the community." The acquisition of the new facility follows an announcement on June 12 that Japan Tobacco International (JTI) became the majority shareholder in a joint venture with Hail & Cotton and J.E.B. International. The new company, JTI Leaf Services, will procure U.S. leaf tobacco on behalf of the JT Group. The JTI Leaf Services facility, located at Stinson Drive and River Park Drive, was built in 1996, and consists of 256,000 square feet situated on 56.7 acres of land. It will serve as JTI Leaf Services' head office as well as host tobacco receiving, processing and finished product storage. Enditem