Plastics factory to take place of former textile plant

A plastics company is planning a new factory in Southside Virginia at site of a former textile plant.

Newsoutlets report that Staunton River Plastics, a subsidiary of Hilliard, Ohio-based R Corp., will invest more than $34 million to build a new 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on site of former Burlington Industries plant in Hurt, which employed 1,300 at its peak before shuttering in 2007 amid a wave of textile closures in Southside.

Plans anunced Friday call for creating 200 new jobs within four years.

project includes significant incentives from state and local government that could approach $4 million. State incentives include a $500,000 grant from Commonwealth Opportunity’s Fund, performance-based grants and $135,000 from Virginia Tobacco Commission. Local incentives are valued at $740,000.

company expects to begin operations by mid-2021.