Advantages for Manufacturing and Distribution Companies

Virginia is a right-to-work state. State and metro area have low levels of unionization and union election activity. 60 percent of the nation's consumers and manufacturers are within two days delivery by truck from Greater Richmond. There are more than 100 motor freight companies and brokers. UPS and Fed Ex district hubs are located in the area. The Port of Richmond provides weekly container service to Antwerp and Liverpool and bi-monthly container/temperature-controlled container service to Canada and Iceland. The Port also provides service to the Mediterranean, Canada, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. The Port of Virginia at Hampton Roads is within 100 miles, with service from more than 75 international shipping lines and more than 5,000 sailings annually. CSX and Norfolk Southern provide rail service. Foreign Trade Zone 207 at Richmond International Airport allows companies to defer paying customs duties on goods until they leave the zone for domestic consumption. Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Compensation costs are among the lowest in the nation. Building costs are 12 percent below the national average.