Hitachi Energy Breaks Ground on Historic South Boston Expansion

Community leaders, elected officials, and Hitachi Energy employees gathered today to celebrate a milestone that will shape the future of Halifax County as Hitachi Energy officially broke ground on its transformational expansion in South Boston.

The $457 million investment will create approximately 825 new jobs and establish the South Boston campus as the largest producer of large power transformers in the United States. The expansion further strengthens Virginia's position as a leader in advanced manufacturing while reinforcing Halifax County's longstanding role in powering America's electric grid.

The ceremony opened with a moving tribute to the facility's nearly 60-year history, recognizing the generations of employees whose craftsmanship and dedication have made the South Boston plant an essential part of the nation's energy infrastructure. Speakers throughout the program emphasized that the investment is not only in buildings and equipment, but in the talented workforce and community that have supported the facility since its founding in 1968.

Among those offering remarks were Halifax County Administrator Ron Brade, Congressman John McGuire, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, Hitachi Energy Senior Vice President Greg Callahan, and Anthony Allard, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer and Head of the Americas Region.

Governor Spanberger highlighted the significance of the project, noting that the expansion represents a $457 million investment and 825 new jobs while positioning South Boston at the center of a critical national industry. She also recognized the collaborative partnership between Hitachi Energy, Halifax County, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and local leaders in supporting workforce development and new housing initiatives that will help accommodate the company's continued growth.

A special moment during the ceremony honored Doug Johnson, one of the original members of the Westinghouse team who helped bring the transformer manufacturing facility to South Boston nearly six decades ago. His vision and leadership laid the foundation for the success celebrated today.

Following the remarks, community leaders and Hitachi Energy executives participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of Halifax County's most enduring employers. As construction begins, today's celebration served as a powerful reminder that the investment extends far beyond the facility itself—it represents confidence in the people, the workforce, and the future of Halifax County for generations to come.