Advance Auto to Offer 75 New Jobs in Roanoke

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Advance Auto Parts, Inc., (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, batteries, accessories, and maintenance items, will add a Financial Services Commercial Customer Care Center to its operation and corporate headquarters in the City of Roanoke and will invest $8 million to support this expansion, as well as other growth. Financial Services will manage the entire commercial customer credit experience, including commercial customer master data setup, billing, accounts receivable and collections. The project will create 75 new jobs over the next three years.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “An investment of $8 million and 75 new jobs for the City of Roanoke is tremendous for the Company and the region. Advance Auto Parts operates more than 3,600 stores across the United States, and we are proud to be the home of this Fortune 500 Company’s corporate headquarters, and now growing financial services operations, for the 80th year. I am confident that the partnership between the Commonwealth and the company will remain strong and continue to grow.”

“Advance Auto Parts is a leading Virginia-grown company that has thrived in Roanoke since 1932,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “The new Financial Services Commercial Customer Care Center will add to the company’s impressive and growing operation, and I am thrilled that Advance chose Virginia for this significant expansion project.”

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. As of October 8, 2011, the Company operated 3,645 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

“Over the last few years, we have invested over $10 million in our Store Support Center in Roanoke in our effort to expand and improve our facilities,” said Darren Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer for Advance Auto Parts. “This new team will be part of our over 1,600 Team Member base in Roanoke and is an integral part of our goal to grow Advance through service and reflects our longstanding commitment to the growth and development of the Roanoke Valley. We appreciate all the support we have received and will continue to receive from the City of Roanoke and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Roanoke and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities.

“The City of Roanoke is honored to be selected as the site of choice for Advance Auto Parts’ newly ‘in-sourced’ Financial Services Commercial Customer Care Center,” said Mayor David Bowers. “The company and Roanoke have a long and prosperous history together, and our future is looking even better with this expansion and the addition of 75 new jobs. The national economy has been at a crossroads for a few years now, but today we're happy to report that our economy and our ‘Crossroads’ are looking great!”