Nov 1, 2007
By KARIM KHAN - Business Facilities Magazine Writer. Virginia is atypical within the United States in that its cities are not located within counties; or in other words, even though Martinsville, VA is completely enveloped by Henry County, VA, the two entities have separate governments and non-overlapping jurisdiction. While it would be incorrect to say that Martinsville is part of Henry County, it is true that the two work together as single unit to attract companies to the region and to help existing companies grow.
The area employs a large number of people in furniture manufacturing, clothing distribution, call centers, and high-tech polymer manufacturing. These industries build on the rich industrial history of the region. That history means generations of accumulated know-how among residents – many of whom are seeking new employment due to the geographic shifts in these core businesses. Recent unemployment rates range from 7%-10% range in Martinsville, and from 4.5%-5.5% in Henry County.
Those numbers can fluctuate readily because of the small overall population: there are, on average, around 1,500 officially unemployed residents between Martinsville and Henry County at any given time. That number is bolstered by the number of underemployed – those who would trade up from their current job to work for you if you provide a better opportunity – and by the number of commuters into the area from the rest of Virginia and North Carolina, which Henry County shares a border with. About 6,200 people commute into Martinsville and Henry County for work. Also, about 4,600 local residents commute to outside Martinsville and Henry County for work each day, each one undoubtedly ready to consider a shorter commute should a new, quality employer arrive closer to home.
The average hourly production wage in Martinsville-Henry County is $11; the average weekly wage, among all sectors is $516.
Martinsville-Henry County Fast Facts
Population (2006): 70,735
Geography: 385 square miles in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, along the southern border shared with North Carolina
Targeted Industries: Food Processing, Plastics, Motorsports, Tourism, Film, Back-Office Operations
Key Virginia Incentives: Virginia Enterprise Zones, Technology Zones, Virginia Small Business Financing, Governor’s Opportunity Fund, Job Grant Tax Credits
The Patriot Centre Shell Building is a 79,000-square-foot facility situated on 19.6 acres in the Patriot Centre, a Martinsville-Henry County industrial park of more than 900 acres. The shell building rests on a pad that will accommodate expansion to 154,000 square feet, and it includes nearly 5,000 square feet of external office space and 30-foot ceilings. The park has municipal water, sewer, and natural gas; broadband Internet connectivity; and on-site fire and rescue services. About 400 acres of the Patriot Centre currently remain open for development.
