According to a press release, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced that the Korean manufacturer will establish its first U.S. manufacturing and assembly operation in the former Lumber Liquidators facility in James City County, which will create 180 new jobs.

The company will triple the footprint of the existing building, bringing it to nearly 900,000 square feet.

“Navien’s decision to locate its first U.S. manufacturing operation in James City County demonstrates the competitive advantage that Virginia offers to international companies looking to expand into new markets,” said Gov. Northam.

“The close proximity of this property to the Port of Virginia and the flexibility to expand and allow for Navien’s continued investment over time helped us make this decision,” said Navien CEO Sangkyu Lee. “Establishing an East Coast facility will support Navien’s growth and allow for faster delivery to primary eastern markets while balancing current shipments coming into California. We look forward to working with the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program as we grow this facility and its importance to Navien’s overall leadership position in North America.”

According to a press report in the Virginia Gazette, Navien will be hiring 180 people over a few years, hiring 150 people in the first three years. For the first two years, Navien will use the facility as an assembly and warehouse operation and in the third year it will transition to be a manufacturing plant.

The Virginia Community College System in collaboration with a state-run career-building program, called the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, will help the company recruit the trained workers it will need, according to the release. The recruitment program and services will be provided to Navien at no cost as an incentive to create jobs.