1969: Valley Workshops, now Vector Industries Inc., established in Waynesboro

K.W. Stanley / "History in the Valley"
Published: June 2, 2008

During the mid-1960s, Congressional legislation set the stage for the development of sheltered workshops to provide jobs and employment training for persons with severe disabilities. Previously, few job opportunities existed for this population.
Between 1965 and 1990, a social revolution occurred across the country to assist handicapped youth who had been blocked from educational opportunities in prior generations. Between 1965-66, legislation authorized grants to state schools, institutions and local public schools to provide educational services for disabled children.
Between 1974-75, legislation guaranteed a free, appropriate, public education for disabled children with identification, evaluation and placement safeguards. By 1990, the educational plan of each handicapped pupil was required to include transition plans for employment and links to community and job-placement services.
The Waynesboro Area Association for Retarded Citizens Inc. contacted the Department of Rehabilitation Services in 1969 about the need to provide jobs for persons with severe disabilities.
Valley Workshops was established as a nonprofit corporation providing rehabilitation, employment and related services for persons with severe disabilities in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County. Valley Workshops began operations in the old Waynesboro library basement.
By 1986, Valley Workshops was reconstituted as Vector Industries Inc., a contractor for manufacturers and packers. Vector is defined as “force with direction.” In 1988, a new production plant was constructed for $300,000. Vector Industries provided a “wish list” to the community and within three weeks had the equipment needed for the plant.
Vector contracts with industries and business for specific services which produce income for the workers. Annual grants are received from the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
For 17 years boxes made for Reynolds Metals produced 55 percent of Vector’s total income. By 1998, Gene and Mary Meadows donated a 4,000-square-foot building adjacent to Vector Industries, located on Fairfax Avenue, which formerly housed Valley Pool. This additional space allowed Vector to increase its work capacity.
Over the years, Vector has completed foam packaging for Rexford, American Safety Razor and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank; produced cleaning tools for DuPont; packing boxes for Red Mill Manufacturing, American Safety Razor, and Hershey Chocolate U.S.A.; and press covers for Genesco.
Vector has operated a shredding business, provided assembly services, provided engravings and assisted a Dutch Flower Bulb Importer with packing tulip bulbs and shipping 18,000 bulb-filled vases by refrigerated trailer to east coast Costco and Kroger stores. Vector also provides a bulk-mailing service.
Vector’s work force increased from 125 in 1994 to 130 in 2004. Vector also places employees in jobs with community businesses and industries.
Vector was recognized in 1993 for employment of persons with disabilities and received an award from the Waynesboro-East Augusta Chamber of Commerce.
Vector Industries, Inc. will celebrate 39 years of community service and employment of the disabled in September 2008.
K.W. Stanley is a Waynesboro resident, historian and TNV correspondent. Contact him at .