Congratulations to Suffolk for landing a $13.2 million manufacturing plant and, more importantly, 198 new jobs.

SPARTA Composite Products, a San Diego-based company that makes composite parts for the aerospace and defense industry, will build its third Virginia facility in Suffolk’s Northgate Commerce Park.

The city beat competition from Georgia, Florida and Iowa for the project.

Suffolk was successful because it had support from the state of Virginia.

According to the Suffolk News-Herald, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance to secure the project.

Gov. Tim Kaine approved a $300,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to help the city woo the company.

And the Virginia Department of Business Assistance promised to provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

It is that kind of partnership that could help bring some big names here to Franklin and Southampton County.

Franklin-Southampton Economic Development routinely works with regional and state partners in pursuit of new jobs. Suffolk’s announcement on Tuesday proves the value of those partnerships and should give local leaders reason to stay the course.