A host of industries thrive in Virginia — some along the its serene coast, others at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and still others in the bustling metropolitan region in the northern portion of the commonwealth.

Virginia has always been a magnet for business, and it’s no mystery why companies repeatedly respond to the commonwealth’s call.

It is especially a natural fit for headquarters operations, which are often prevalent in locations where the quality of life and standard of living are high.

Wachovia Securities LLC is one major component of Virginia’s headquarters success story.

Rooted in the capital city of Richmond since 1934, the company announced in December that it would create more than 1,000 new jobs for the Richmond metro by way of a headquarters expansion project.

The expansion is a result of the merger of Wachovia Securities and Prudential Securities and represents an investment of more than $8.3 million. Wachovia Securities will add up to 470 new jobs at its operations in the city of Richmond, as well as up to 730 jobs in Henrico County.

While the company did consider other states for the expansion project, its long-standing relationship with Old Dominion helped seal the deal.

The Richmond area’s sense of community, large and affordable housing stock, and natural attractions were important to the company’s ability to attract individuals whose energy and ideas will drive growth in the years ahead, said Danny Ludeman, president and CEO of Wachovia Securities.

“Wachovia Securities has enjoyed the benefits of the supportive business environment and ample talent pool that exists in the Richmond area,” he said. “Looking ahead, Wachovia Securities is committed to attracting and retaining the most talented and diverse work force in the financial services industry.”

Wachovia Securities is the third largest full service retail brokerage firm in the United States, serving clients via 3,300 locations in 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Another Virginia-based company also decided to stay in the commonwealth when it needed to expand.

Luna Innovations will invest $6.4 million to locate a nano-manufacturing facility in Danville’s Tobacco Warehouse District. The project will create 54 new jobs.

The nano-materials will be used for research and development of military and commercial applications.

The company will manufacture carbonaceous nano-materials and nano-composite thin films. Commercial applications include vehicle parts, stain-resistant textiles, ship hull coatings and fuel cell components.

“This project allows Luna to work closely with Danville where there is a highly motivated and qualified work force,” said Kent Murphy, chairman and CEO of Luna Innovations. “The applications of nano-materials are almost limitless and include health care, defense, telecommunications and biotechnology.”

Blacksburg-based Luna Innovations identifies market opportunities, marries them with qualified, novel technologies, and moves the concepts from the laboratory to the marketplace. Core technologies reside in fiber optic and ultrasonic sensing, biotechnology, advanced materials and integrated systems.

With an existing production facility in Blacksburg, Luna Innovations is the world’s only producer of Trimetapsheres — hollow molecules of carbon atoms that enclose various metals and rare earth elements.

Trimetapsheres were discovered at Virginia Tech University.

“Luna’s Danville initiative, based on the latest research in the creation of nano-materials, is an opportunity for economic development,” said Jim Blair, interim vice provost for research at Virginia Tech. “That discoveries from Virginia Tech’s labs are among Luna’s resources shows how basic research can lead to technologies that support commercial partnerships.”

Luna Innovations considered Maryland and North Carolina before deciding on Virginia.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the city of Danville’s Office of Economic Development assisted the company with the decision.

Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology is providing support, and the company will use the Virginia Department of Business Assistance Workforce Services Program. It will also be eligible for enterprise zone tax credits through the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development.

Danville received another boost in March when the Advanced and Applied Polymer Processing Institute (AAPPI) announced that it had received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding will be used for the research and development of lighter-than-air fabrics.

Lighter-than-air applications can be developed in the region because of an existing polymer infrastructure.

“It’s a product that can be manufactured right here,” said Ron Moffitt, director of AAPPI. “The expertise is right here.”

Lighter-than-air fabrics can be used within the military and for certain non-military needs.

In December, AAPPI received a $1.6 million federal grant.

The nation’s leading specialty retailer of used cars also said it would keep its headquarters operation in Virginia.

CarMax Inc. plans to relocate its corporate headquarters, with nearly 600 employees, to the West Creek Business Park in Goochland County. The new facility will be constructed just west of its current Henrico County site and occupied within the next two to three years.

“CarMax was created here, and thanks to the cooperation of state and Goochland County officials and the owners of West Creek, our decision to stay was an easy one,” said Austin Ligon, president and CEO of the company.

Logistical Answers

for Manufacturing Firms

Virginia’s lucrative location on the East Coast has consistently made it a logistical favorite for companies involved in various types of manufacturing operations.

For instance, Eden Prairie, Minn.,-based Cardinal Glass recently selected Roanoke County for its first Virginia facility. Insulating glass will be manufactured at the 220,000 square foot plant, and about 200 new jobs will result in the first three years from the $23.9 million investment.

“It has been through partnerships with our customers and close relationships with local communities that Cardinal has become the leader in the residential glass market,” said Roger O’Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Cardinal Glass. “It is the sound work ethic of the region and the support of state, county and town officials that has brought us to the Roanoke Valley.”

Cardinal Glass is a major supplier to Integrity Windows, which announced last year that it would build a manufacturing facility in Roanoke County’s Valley Gateway Business Park.

A plastic manufacturer unveiled plans in early February to locate a new facility in Altavista.

Rage Corp. was formed in 1968 in the basement of its founder’s home. Through the years, the custom injection molding company has grown through a series of expansions and now maintains operations in Virginia and Ohio. About 25 new jobs will be created by way of the $2 million investment.

Foreign investors also make up a notable portion of Virginia’s business expansions.

In January, British company M&H Plastics announced it would locate its first U.S. facility in Frederick County.

The company makes plastic bottles, caps and tubes for the personal care market. Its $12 million facility will bring 57 new jobs to the region.

“The reason we selected Virginia as the location for our U.S. plant was a combination of geographical location, with respect to our main customer base and the ease of travel to and from the UK, the quality and availability of the local work force, and the business-friendly attitude of the commonwealth,” said John Anderton, managing director of M&H Plastics.

The company’s decision was also driven in part by Frederick County’s proximity to Dulles International Airport, near Washington D.C., and the Virginia Inland Port, which may be utilized by the firm in the future.

In February, Marseilles, France-based CMA-CGM, the world’s fifth largest steamship line, revealed it would locate its North American headquarters in Norfolk. The firm projects 116 new jobs to accommodate the $11.5 million investment.

The company also plans to consolidate its 260 Virginia Beach facility employees into the Norfolk operation.

CMA-CGM operates a fleet of 157 vessels on more than 50 major shipping routes, and also operates an extensive North American rail, truck and barge inter-modal network.

Rachael Hedgcoth is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan