DUBLIN, VA—The Volvo Group has struck a deal with the Commonwealth of Virginia to invest $38.1 million in improvements at its New River Valley assembly plant here.

The investment will include upgrades to the more than 1.6-million-square-foot manufacturing complex as well as the construction of a new 36,000-square-foot Volvo Trucks Customer Experience Center on the NRV grounds. In addition to the investment, Volvo will add 32 new jobs at its complex.

The new capital program follows $69 million in improvements at the New River Valley assembly plant Volvo Group announced in 2014 that involved new state of the art equipment and plant upgrades for the complex where all Volvo truck models for North America are assembled.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said at the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, “Growing the advanced manufacturing industry is a key part of our efforts to create jobs, diversify and build a new Virginia economy. This is the largest Volvo truck manufacturing facility in the world, and we are pleased that the Volvo Group chose Virginia for this significant expansion that will ensure its success and longevity in Pulaski County for years to come.”

“Volvo's investment in the NRV facility and in the development of a Customer Experience Center is evidence of our commitment to our employees and the Pulaski County community,” says Goran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Our competitive advantage stems from our innovative products and services, and also from our dedicated employees.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Pulaski County to secure the project. Gov. McAuliffe approved a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth's Opportunity Fund to assist Pulaski County with the project. The governor also approved a $2-million performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. The company is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program. Additional funding and services to support the company's employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.