Members in the News as of November 29, 2018

O'Sullivan announces $10 million expansion and 61 new positions.  O'Sullivan Films has embarked on  a $10.35 million expansion that will add 61 jobs to the plastics-processing facility on Valley Avenue.  O'Sullivan Films was founded by Humphrey O'Sullivan in 1896 as the nation's first manufacturer of rubber heels and soles for shoes.  The company moved from Massachusetts to Winchester in 1932.  In the 50's this location began reinventing itself, departing from the rubber industry and entering into the plastics industry.  O'Sullivan Films was purchased by Hornschurch Group of Germany in 2010.  Six years later, Hornschurch merged with another German firm, Benecke-Kaliko AG, which is a subsidary of the German automotive manufacturing firm Continental AG.  O'Sullivan was rebranded as Continental but still uses its original name.  The expansion will allow O'Sullivan Films to add equipment, technology and production space to its campus at 1944 Valley Ave., and expand its line of synthetic leather products.  (Taken from the article from The Winchester Star dated Saturday November 3, 2018.)

Designs for downtown complex 'almost hit the bullseye'.  Preliminary designs for a proposed mixed-use complex at the northeast corner of East Piccadilly and North Kent streets solicited positive responses from Winchester's Board of Architectural Review(BAR).  The city's Economic Development Authority is working with the private development firm Providence Capital Partners, LLC to build a five-story structure that would include approximately 51,000 square feet of space for apartments, two retail stores or restaurants and indoor parking for all tenants.  To make way for the development, the six existing buildings at the site (five of which are in Winchester's Historic District) have to be demolished.  This will not begin until the existing tenants' leases expire on July 1, 2019.  (For more information, see The Winchester Star article for November 28, 2018.)  

City Schools to expand dual-language program.  The Spanish-language immersion program for Winchester Public Schools has become so popular that a dual-language program will be offered at Virginia Avenue Charlotte Dehart Elementary School next school year.  The School Board unanimously approved Monday night to expand the school system's fairly new dual-language program begining August 2019.  (For more information see the article in The Winchester Star dated November 28, 2018.)  

New Computer Repair and Tech Shop Opens in the City:  John Kline, a city native and Army veteran, has opened a computer repair and techology solutions business at 25 Feathbed Lane in Winchester.  Cyber-Nate focuses primarily on computer repair and web site design.  He has been doing computer repair for 25 years noting that he worked on technology repair and troubleshooting while he was in the Army.  He's joined the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce in hopes of ramping up his business and he offers discounts for military, police and emergency service workers.  (Taken from the article from The Winchester Star dated November 29, 2018.)