Economic Development Investment Program Grants Approved for Omniio, Ironclad Media and Altmeyer Funeral Homes
September 21, 2017
Virginia Beach Development Authority has approved three Economic Development Investment Program grants totaling $150,000 to three Virginia Beach-based companies: Omniio, Ironclad Media Alliance and Altmeyer Funeral Homes. Each of the companies has plans to make new capital investments by relocating, expanding operations and retaining and adding new jobs. "All three businesses fall within our small business profile, and we are very pleased to see each of them expand and invest in Virginia Beach as a community partner," said Virginia Beach Economic Development Director Warren D. Harris.OmniioOmniio, an innovative and creative company providing goat milk bath and body products for the natural grocery and global gift industries, was established in 2012. The company is expanding from 3,400 square feet at its current location at 2521 Engagement Court to 4,785 square feet at 2744 Sonic Drive. This expansion will enable the company to continue manufacturing, warehousing and distributing more of its natural goat milk bath and body products, which include soaps, lip balms, lotions, shaving soaps, foaming hand wash and insect repellent. Omniio's brand, O My!® Goat Milk Bath and Body products, are made using wholesome goat milk from their goat farm. The company currently sells its products online, through Amazon, as well as in the Army and Air Force exchanges, military commissaries, natural grocers and more than 1,500 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada. Omniio will add four full-time jobs with salaries of $31,200, excluding benefits, with this expansion. The Virginia Beach Development Authority has awarded an APZ-1 Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $20,000 based on the company's $370,000 capital investment in the YesOceana APZ-1 zone."It's great living in Virginia Beach that is so business friendly," said Mike Adolphi, co-owner of Omniio. "Everyone on the YesOceana program and the Virginia Beach Economic Development staff made it easy to expand in Virginia Beach, and we look forward to bringing additional manufacturing jobs here." Ironclad Media Alliance Ironclad Media, a boutique media agency specializing in digital cinema, was founded in Virginia Beach in 2010. The company currently leases 1,800 square feet at 207 25th Street and has plans to relocate and triple its footprint to 5,060 square feet with the purchase of a building located at 1136 Jensen Drive. Ironclad will invest $675,000 in real estate and business equipment with the expansion and relocation. Additionally, Ironclad Media will add three full-time employees with salaries of $40,000 excluding benefits.Ironclad Media is a full-service media house that develops complete campaigns from crafting concepts and writing scripts, to storyboarding and executing shoots. Some of its clients include UNDER ARMOUR, Daniel Defense, Navy SEAL Foundation, Reebok, and SIG SAUER.The Virginia Beach Development Authority has awarded an APZ-1 Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $30,000 based on the company's capital investment in the YesOceana APZ-1 zone."Our focus has always been to be a global leader in content creation, but our roots will always be in Virginia Beach," said Ironclad Founder Jeremy Carey. Altmeyer Funeral HomesDignity Funeral Services, Inc., doing business as Altmeyer Funeral Homes, is a family owned business founded 1917 in Wheeling, W.V. They opened the first location in Virginia Beach in 1997 and are headquartered here providing funeral, cremation and preplanning services. During the 30-year span in Virginia Beach, they have grown to 35 facilities with locations in five states; Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida. The company's main office on Greenwich Road is being impacted by the I-64/1-264 Ramp Improvement Project. As a result, the company plans to relocate to 5033 Rouse Drive. An existing 10,000-square-foot building on the property will be expanded to 21,000 square feet. The company also purchased two properties that are adjacent to the site for parking and the expansion. The Virginia Beach Development Authority has awarded an Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $100,000 based on the company's more than $5,500,000 capital investment and job creation. With this funding, the company will retain its headquarters in Virginia Beach. Altmeyer Funeral Homes employs 24 full-time employees, 43 part-time employees and plans to add five new employees as part of this expansion. In addition to the Greenwich Road location, it also has a facility at 1801 Baltic Avenue in Virginia Beach and owns the Cremation Society of Virginia in Kempsville."Thanks to the help of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development and the Development Authority for granting us funds, Virginia Beach will remain the hub of our growing business," said James E. Altmeyer, Jr., president. "We employ many local funeral professionals, retired veterans and individuals who call this city home." The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 450,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2016 and is one of only 50 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. Most recently, Virginia Beach was named America's #1 best big city to live in by wallethub.com. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.# # #
