MARTINSVILLE (WSLS 10) - Senator Tim Kaine made a stop in the Martinsville, Henry County area as a part of a five-day economic development tour.
Kaine visited The New College Institute (NCI) in Martinsville as workers unveiled a new $1 million manufacturing machine called the Academic Coater. It's used in advance film manufacturing and is an invention many believe will strengthen Henry County's workforce.
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Zachary Mitchell is one of 12 people who has hands-on experience in the film manufacturing industry. He learned how to check for defects and the do's and don'ts of window film.
Mitchell participated in a program from the Center for Advance Film and Manufacturing. He said he leaned how to coat and laminate products like windows, which lead to a manufacturing job in Martinsville.
At the ceremony Thursday, Senator Kaine attended and watched a brief demonstration how the Academic Coater worked. Kaine said he thinks the machine could spur more jobs in the Henry County and southside.
"This advance film manufacturing is a big deal so the fact that they have this and the workers will get training they could get here compared to anywhere else in the world will continue to ensure that industry stays strong here in the Martinsville, Henry County area," Kaine said.
NCI workers said they think it could bring more people to Henry County for education.
"It will allow us to bring in national and international speakers and students who will get the best practices in the advanced film manufacturing industry right here in Martinsville - Henry County," Dr. Leanna Blevins, the Director of the New College Institute said.