Governor Abigail Spanberger announced today that 14 Virginia companies have successfully completed the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, while 13 new companies have joined the latest cohort of the international trade development initiative. The VALET program, which has seen 453 companies graduate since 2002, supports Virginia businesses committed to international exporting as a key growth strategy.
"Virginia has long recognized that international trade is a cornerstone of a strong, resilient, and growing economy," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. She added that the VALET program empowers Virginia businesses with the knowledge, partnerships, and confidence to compete globally, fostering job creation and investment within the Commonwealth.
The Governor is currently leading her first international economic trade mission to the United Kingdom, aiming to strengthen relationships with international employers and attract new business investment to Virginia. During the four-day mission, she and her delegation have met with over 30 companies across various sectors, including aerospace, aviation, defense, biopharmaceutical, agriculture, and forestry.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery emphasized the program's critical role, saying, "The VALET program plays a critical role in helping Virginia companies build the expertise and connections they need to succeed in international markets." VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi echoed this, stating, "The businesses graduating from our VALET program have demonstrated a strong commitment to international growth, and we look forward to seeing them build on that momentum through increased exports, new opportunities, and continued job creation across Virginia."
The graduating companies include AV, CargoSense, Catalytic Generators, iMedical Healthcare Solutions, iMPREG, Innovative Wireless Technologies, Luna Labs, MAC Aerospace Corporation, Matheny Motor Truck Co., Merrick & Company, PRIVO, Trijicon, Vectrona, and VPT, Inc. The new companies joining the program are AgPack, Anomaly Six, Aspetto, Inc., Boss Lumber, Dante Valve Company, Fortune Auto, JFL Consulting, LifeNet, Muhlbauer, Nilit America, Real Performance Machinery, Teledyne Hastings Instruments, and UTS Systems.
Virginia companies collectively export $75 billion in goods and services annually. VEDP's International Trade division assists over 500 Virginia companies with their international business development efforts each year. The Governor recently celebrated Virginia's rise to #3 in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” rankings, reflecting a strong business climate that has attracted over $5 billion in new business investment and more than 3,000 new jobs since she took office.