In conjunction with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Bayshore Concrete Products has announced expansion of its Cape Charles headquarters operation, along with infrastructure improvements in the harbor connecting the site to the Chesapeake Bay. The $4 million undertaking was subject to competition with Maryland, New York and New Jersey, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership working with Cape Charles and Northampton County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Northampton County and Cape Charles with the project.
“This critical infrastructure expansion secures the future viability of Bayshore Concrete Products’ operation in the Town of Cape Charles in Northampton County. The ability to produce and ship larger concrete components will allow the company to win additional major projects, greatly expanding its customer base and increasing competitiveness,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Bayshore has thrived in Virginia for more than five decades, and this project secures the existing employee base and adds 135 valuable jobs. This expansion is significant in the long-term, as improvements to the harbor carry extensive benefits not only to Bayshore, but also to other companies on the Eastern Shore, and pave the way for future opportunities for growth for the region.”
“The partnership that we have formed with the Town of Cape Charles, Northampton County and the Commonwealth of Virginia made Cape Charles the right choice to pursue the infrastructure improvements needed to make production of our components in Virginia more cost effective and successful,” affirmed Bayshore Concrete Vice President/General Manager Chad Saunders. “The 50-plus years of experience with our local workforce, deep water access, and support from officials at the town, county and state will position us to build some of the largest and most complicated precast components in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for the foreseeable future.”
The Cape Charles plant emerged from its 1961-1964 charter project—the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel—as one of the top sources of marine-grade precast/prestressed concrete structures, transitioning to Skanska USA after more than 40 years under longtime owner or major stakeholder, Kiewit Corp.
“Bayshore Concrete Products has a rich history in Cape Charles and experienced continued growth since its establishment,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “This project and resulting infrastructure improvements ensure that the company and the region will thrive for the next 50 years.”
“Northampton County has many talented people seeking work,” added Northampton County Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry LeMond. “This expansion by Bayshore Concrete Products will provide valuable employment for our community. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Town of Cape Charles and the Commonwealth of Virginia to not only save a local industry, but to add jobs.”
“The Town of Cape Charles is happy to participate in this project by providing a significant amount of funding as a local match to the grant,” noted Cape Charles Mayor Dora Sullivan. “We look forward to additional opportunities to develop businesses that would benefit from our deep water harbor on the Chesapeake Bay.”