Virginia sweetened decision to expand

Over the years, Virginia has given The Hershey Co. plenty of reasons to stay and grow.

In 2001, the state offered Hershey a $425,000 grant to help move some production to its factory in Stuarts Draft.

In return, Hershey added 80 to 100 jobs at the plant.

In 2004, the company received tax credits.

Hershey added 110 jobs in Stuarts Draft.

And in February, when Hershey said it was restructuring its North American operations, Virginia stepped up again, offering $200,000 from the governor's opportunity fund.

Augusta County, where Stuarts Draft is located, matched that grant, said Don "Robin" Sullenberger, CEO of Shenandoha Valley Partnership, an economic development group.

The company now intends to add 150 jobs in Virginia by shifting production of its Peter Paul products from Connecticut, where a Hershey factory closed last month.

Gregg Tanner, who recently resigned as senior vice president of Hershey's global operations, explained the decision this way:

"This investment in our Stuarts Draft facility marks a significant step in ensuring the long-term competitiveness of The Hershey Company," he said in a written statement in April. "We are pleased to continue our partnership with Augusta County and Virginia, which has contributed greatly to the success of this facility."

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