VA Governor to Kroger: Engage in Dialogue with Mercury Paper

Governor McDonnell asks major U.S. retailer to find common ground with local manufacturer

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a newly released letter, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell warns Kroger CEO David Dillon that the company's plan to halt purchases from a local Virginia paper manufacturer is misguided and undermines the Commonwealth's economic recovery. Detailing the high stakes of Kroger's decision, Governor McDonnell writes:

"In recent weeks, I have heard from many constituents about plans by Kroger to halt purchases from Mercury Paper, a manufacturer in the Commonwealth, because their key suppliers Asia Pulp & Paper.

"The organizations pressing for this boycott are focused neither on the best interests of Virginia's citizens, nor your customers, and are unaware of Mercury's commitment to environmental sustainability throughout its supply chain.

"Mercury Paper is an important part of Virginia's economic recovery and Kroger's decision will harm this business. They have created jobs in a struggling part of our state through advanced technology and by bolstering trade."

In 2010, Governor McDonnell personally welcomed Mercury Paper to Virginia. Since then, the company has created over 150 well-paying jobs and invested over $21 million in the state.

Several other elected officials—including Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, State Senator Mark Obenshain, State Delegate Todd Gilbert, and Strasburg Mayor Timothy Taylor—have also spoken up in defense of Mercury Paper.

"Governor McDonnell has stepped up to defend Mercury Paper against the 'green elite,'" said AFP-Virginia state director and Coalition to Protect Virginia Jobs (CPVJ) member Audrey Berkshire Jackson. "Retailers like Kroger kowtowing to the baseless attacks by Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund comes at a high cost. Kroger's decision deals a heavy blow to our already struggling local economies. We urge the company to reinstate its relationship with Mercury Paper and stand by Virginia's hardworking families."

The Virginia Commonwealth stands to lose more than 150 Virginian jobs and $21 million in state investments if Mercury Paper closes.

To learn more about the coalition, please visit ProtectVAJobs.org

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About The Coalition to Protect Virginia Jobs
The Coalition to Protect Virginia Jobs (CPVJ) is sponsored by Americans for Prosperity Virginia (AFP-VA) and the Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation with the aim of urging Kroger, Target and others to continue to source from local Virginia supplier, Mercury Paper, and reject the smear campaign of Greenpeace that threatens jobs and the livelihoods of hard working Virginians.

SOURCE Coalition to Protect Virginia Jobs