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. 55 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 bi-monthly container/temperature-controlled container service to Canada and Iceland via Eimskip Lines. Weekly barge service is provided between the Port and Norfolk Internanional Terminal at the Port of Virginia by 64 Express barge service. The Port of Virginia at Hampton Roads is within 100 miles of Richmond. It is the third largest container port on the U.S. East Coast, with service from more than 75 international shipping lines and more than 3,000 sailings annually to 100 countries. 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.