Announcements from Amazon, Mondelez, SimpliSafe deliver profitable 2021 for Virginia locality
Henrico Virginia, December 9, 2021
It was an exceptional 2021 for Henrico, Virginia, as the locality’s robust infrastructure helped it attract multiple multimillion-dollar investments from some of the biggest names in their respective industries. This included Amazon, which announced the launch of a state-of-the-art robotics fulfillment center, as well as SimpliSafe, Mondelez, and Red River Foods, which all revealed upcoming expansions in the area. At this morning’s State of the County address presented by County Manager John Vithoulkas, it was disclosed that total current year investments stand at $489 million.
In accumulating the investments from the industry leaders, Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam praised the area for having the robust infrastructure to support rapid growth. Meanwhile, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball recognized that the region’s “transportation and logistics infrastructure provides businesses direct connectivity for distribution.”
“Henrico offers the systems and services that keep companies competitive in the modern era, so we’re a magnet for major players looking for their next great location,” said Anthony Romanello, Executive Director of the Henrico Economic Development Authority. “In a challenging climate, word quickly spread that Henrico’s world-class infrastructure powers business development, effortlessly connects workers to their jobs, and makes logistics virtually seamless.”
With an ideal location in the heart of the East Coast, industry leaders are seizing the opportunity to leverage Henrico’s unique infrastructure advantages, including:
- Unrivaled access to four subsea cables, facilitating the world’s fastest data speeds
- Opportunity for sustainable energy usage courtesy of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project
- Multiple shipping options at Richmond International Airport, a foreign trade zone that recently reported a record-setting 180 million pounds in annual air cargo
- Proximity to the Port of Virginia, the third-largest container port on the East Coast
- Quick entrance to I-64 and I-95, accelerating transportation in all directions
- Average 22-minute commute time, among the best in the nation
Henrico’s infrastructure story will continue to add new chapters. The locality is set to receive nearly $104 million in funding for transportation projects, infrastructure improvements, and revenue recovery by 2023
“When it comes to supporting our businesses, we understand just how vital it is to invest in our infrastructure,” continued Romanello. “We have exciting infrastructure advancements on the horizon and we look forward to even more investments next year and beyond.”
About the Henrico EDA
Located in the heart of the Eastern Seaboard, Henrico is an AAA-bonded county adjacent to Virginia’s capital city of Richmond. The EDA is your single point of contact for business development and site selection services. Find properties and run reports with our GIS tool, HenricoProperties.com. Learn more about White Oak Technology Park, a master-planned high-tech manufacturing center, at whiteoaktechpark.com. Visit Henrico.com for the latest news and to sign up to receive our Property Now and Henrico Now newsletters.n
For more information on this topic, contact:
Anthony J. Romanello
Executive Director