Company to renovate existing building in Bassett Forks
DRP Performance, an automotive specialty racing products company, is re-locating operations from Franklin County to Henry County.
The company and local officials announced today that the company is purchasing an existing facility, the former Memorial Hospital Clinic in Bassett Forks, and will ultimately invest approximately $1.1M in real and personal property to renovate and expand the facility to accommodate the company’s growth. The company will also relocate its 13 current employees to the Bassett Forks location. The relocation will allow DRP Performance Products to expand its growing business and to locate closer to its major racing customer base in North Carolina.
DRP Performance has operated in Franklin County since 1988, and specializes in custom, high-precision products including hub components, hub tools, pull down systems, alignment systems, set-up tools and suspension, primarily for the racing industry.
“This relocation affords DRP the room to grow and expand our business while retaining our highly-skilled employees,” said Lynnie Doughton, Chief Steward of DRP. “It also allows us to recruit new employees that are being trained by Patrick Henry Community College’s Motorsports Technology program.”
Jim Adams, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors, said today’s announcement was more evidence that the County’s economy is strengthening.
“This relocation is another example of our hard work paying off,” Adams said. “We welcome DRP and thank them for their confidence in our community.”
The Martinsville-Henry County EDC was alerted to DRP’s need to expand in May 2019, by Butch Hamlet, a former member of the EDC Board of Directors who knew Doughton both professionally and personally as they served together on the PHCC Racing College Advisory Board. “From the first time I met Lynnie it was obvious we were dealing with a quality business and first-class owner,” said Mark Heath, EDC President/CEO.
Butch Hamlet said “I’ve known and done business with Lynnie for more than twenty years and we served together on the PHCC Racing College Advisory Board. As I’ve watched Lynnie’s business grow over the years it’s obvious he is a true entrepreneur in the world of racing components.”
The Martinsville-Henry County EDC is providing a grant of $75,000, to be matched by The Harvest Foundation, to assist with relocation and renovation costs. “We are grateful for DRP’s confidence in Martinsville-Henry County and we look forward to its continued growth here,” said Larry Ryder, Chairman of the EDC Board of Directors.
“The Foundation welcomes our newest corporate partner as we always look to leverage resources to expand the community’s tax base and job opportunities,” said Allyson Rothrock, President of The Harvest Foundation. “Our community has a rich racing heritage and we are excited to add DRP to our list of racing-related ventures.”
