 Its stated goal is to expand investment and create jobs, and since it was established in the mid-1990s it has created over 2,500 jobs and generated $500 million in investments in the Route 340/522 corridor.The work of the WCEDA became especially salient for the region's residents after the closure of its largest taxpayer and employer, Avtex, following severe environmental contamination issues at its main plant, including wastewater runoff into the Shenandoah River and clean air violations.Most notable among the development activities undertaken by the agency are the successful repatriation of the former Avtex plant, which had been made into an EPA Superfund site following its closure.