Alpha Natural Resources picks Bristol for headquarters

Alpha Natural Resources, which merged in July with Foundation Coal, will build its new corporate headquarters in Bristol, creating 69 jobs while retaining 131 positions, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said this morning.

Kaine said Virginia beat out Tennessee and Maryland as possible headquarters locations for the company.

“Alpha Natural Resources has had a solid presence in Virginia through its predecessor companies since the early 1900s, and I am glad to see them recommitting to business in the commonwealth,” Kaine said in a statement. “Alpha is among a growing list of corporations—including MeadWestvaco, Hilton Hotels, Volkswagen of America and SAIC—who have chosen to call the Commonwealth their home. I applaud the company’s growth, exemplified by its investment and job creation here in Virginia.”

The governor’s office said in a news release that Alpha will invest about $17.5 million in its new headquarters through a lease-back agreement and an additional $3.5 million in other expenses. The building in Bristol’s new Sugar Hollow Business Complex is expected to be ready for occupancy in mid-2011.

Alpha had been headquartered in Abingdon; Foundation’s home office was in Linthicum Heights, Md.