Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation

Economic Development in Martinsville-Henry County embraces Motorsports

Oct 22, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Crystal France
Director of Marketing/PR
Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation
276.403.5940
cfrance@yesmartinsville.com


Economic Development in Martinsville-Henry County embraces Motorsports
~ Local efforts build on current resources to attract new business ~

Martinsville, VA (Oct. 22, 2006) – The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation (M-HCEDC) has identified the motorsports industry as a viable target and potential source of new jobs for the area.

“We’re casting a broad net into the motorsports industry, from race teams at all levels to specialty parts manufacturers,” says Mark Heath, President/CEO of M-HCEDC. “The area’s wealth of motorsports expertise from existing business and training programs through Patrick Henry Community College ensures we can supply the necessary workforce to sustain the industry.”

Patrick Henry Community College’s Motorsports Technologies Program (PHCC Motorsports) prepares students for all phases of accelerated motorsports performance technology, including engine construction. Through an innovative partnership with Arrington Manufacturing, which builds race engines and performs research and development for the Dodge motorsports program, and HT Motorsports, the operator of the No. 59 Toyota truck in the Craftsman Truck Series, the students of PHCC Motorsports design and build vehicles and engines that run on race day.

M-HCEDC has several activities planned to attract motorsports companies. A new advertising campaign, developed by Anstey Hodge Advertising Group of Roanoke, declares that “in Martinsville, the business day starts with hot coffee and donuts.” This message will be communicated in print ads placed in industry specific publications over the next 8 months and in the organization’s exhibit at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, scheduled for December 14 – 16, 2006.

“We know that we have the resources to attract motorsports related industry,” continues Heath. “Ads and trade shows will give us much needed industry exposure and will facilitate our recruitment efforts.”

The mission of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is to create new job opportunities and expand the tax base for the area. The organization strives to support and develop local industry, as well as market Martinsville-Henry County globally as an exceptional place to live, work and play.

The EDC is a public-private partnership between the City of Martinsville, Henry County, the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG) and the Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont.

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