From The News & Record

If Southside Virginia painted Gov. Bob McDonnell as a green Grinch for announcing the closing of Mecklenbrg Correctional Center last week, it surely saw Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling as bright-red Santa Claus himself today as he announced that the 150 new workers would be employed by … Virginia Dominion Power.

Bolling made the announcement at Riverstone Centre on Thursday morning before a buoyant audience of community leaders, some wearing festive touches for the season.

"What a great time," said Bolling, citing the pre-Christmas date. Halifax County has known for months about the jobs – most of the community just didn't know exactly who the employer would be, as economic developers had wanted to keep the name under wraps.

There's still time to get your application in!  The job fair seeking to fill 150 positions for a new call center in Halifax County is being held at Riverstone Centre, Riverstone Technology Park in South Boston.  The fair is being conducted by Virginia Employment Commission.

Though the advertisement noted mainframe experience, this experience would be from the user end - not as a technology expert.  Many people have interacted with a main frame without ever knowing it, so don't let that deter you from applying for these positions.  Positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook) excellent interpersonal communications both in writing and on the telephone and proficiency in keyboarding/data entry.

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) One-Stop in South Boston, VA will be sponsoring a Job Fair starting Monday October 31st  at 9:00 AM  and continue until 7:00 PM at Riverstone Centre. This Job Fair is being conducted to support a single employer for a planned new Customer Contact Center that may locate in Halifax County.

The VEC is looking for people with experience in Customer Contact, Customer Service, Customer Care, Call Center Operations, Back Office, Administrative, Clerical or Data Entry.

Company to invest $4.6 million; project supports retention of 140 jobs and creates 15 new jobs

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that ABB Inc., a provider of power and automation products, systems, solutions and services, will expand its operation in Halifax County. The facility manufactures liquid-cooled transformers for large utility, industrial and government users. The company plans to invest $4.6 million in two phases over the next three years for the expansion and retooling of a new and more efficient process for manufacturing its Distribution Transformers (DTR).  The first phase of the investment totaling $3.0 million will begin immediately.  The retention and expansion of DTR products will create 15 new jobs and preserves 140 jobs.

Speaking about today's announcement, Governor McDonnell said, "ABB Inc. is an important employer in Halifax County and in Virginia. The company employs more than 400 in Halifax, and approximately 1,000 people in its other locations in Chesterfield and Bland Counties. ABB's retention and expansion of its Distribution Transformers manufacturing division is significant for the region. The employees at the plant are valuable assets, and this project will positively impact these positions, as well as add new jobs that pay above the region's average prevailing wage. I thank the company for continuing to grow in Halifax County, and anticipate its new technology will increase profitability, competitiveness, and market share."

Company to invest $6 million and create 22 new jobs over the next three years

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Presto Products Company, a manufacturer of plastic film and bags will invest $6 million to expand its operation in Halifax County. The company will add five new manufacturing lines, creating 22 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Presto’s investment and expansion of five manufacturing lines will allow for increased capacity, serving more customers from its facility in Halifax County. This project will not only increase the company’s competitiveness in its market, but also will help secure the future of the plant and 375 employees. I commend the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center for its commitment to workforce training to meet the needs of Halifax County’s corporate citizens, and Dominion Virginia Power, which helped ensure that the quality of the plant’s electrical service could accommodate the expanded production capacity.”