Hybrid Vehicles of Danville Inc. has purchased the Wickes Lumber building on 239 Old Mayfield Road just off U.S. Highway 29 Business in the western part of Danville.
The company announced in May that it would locate its new manufacturing facility and headquarters in Danville by initially hiring 25 people with plans over a three-year period to employ at least 150 employees. The three-year capital investment total is expected to be at least $1,500,000.
Hybrid Vehicles has a joint venture with Advanced Vehicle Research Center, and has been operating in AVRC’s Cyber Park facility while the negotiations on the Wickes Lumber Building were completed.
The company will produce a hybrid vehicle solution for large buses and armored vehicles for Defense and Security applications. The vehicle will have a proprietary cooling system operated by solar power in order to keep the interior bearable for the occupants. Many of the vehicles will be exported overseas where there is a burgeoning demand for more fuel efficient and versatile armored vehicles. Jim Bailey has already established several international high level leadership relationships where the vehicles are in high demand.
The project would not have been possible without a $420,000 Tobacco Commission Revitalization Opportunity Fund grant. “The TROF grant enables us to get started by purchasing equipment and hiring people to meet contracts that we already have,” stated Jim Bailey.