Warren Hammer
Project Manager . Business Development . Transportation Team
804-545-5724
WHammer@YesVirginia.org
A pro-business climate combined with state of the art facilities at the Port of Virginia and APM/Maersk Terminal, and extensive transportation infrastructure make Virginia an ideal location for global logistics operations. It’s no wonder that over 240 major companies have set-up distribution centers here.
- The Port of Virginia handles over 2 million TEUs annually and is home to the largest and fastest container cranes in the world.
- Fourteen railroads operate on more than 3,500 miles of railway in Virginia, of which 3,147 miles are Class I—one of the strongest rail networks in the nation.
- Two of the nation's largest railroads, CSX Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation, have extensive infrastructure throughout the State.
- Six major interstate highways spanning over 5,400 lane miles and direct, double-stacked rail connections provide quick access to Northeast, Southeast and Midwest markets.
- 14 commercial airports serve the Commonwealth, including Washington Dulles International with non-stop service to over 30 international destinations.
- Over 73,000 people work in Virginia’s Global Logistics industry and produce $8.9 billion in economic output.
The
Port of Virginia is the second largest intermodal facility on the East Coast, and due to natural harbor depth and Suez-class cranes, it is the only East Coast location capable of handling post-Panamax vessels as first port of call. The Port of Virginia has 11,000 feet of on-dock rail track and a channel depth of 50 feet, and it boasts 22-day transit from Asia.
The Port offers a schedule of approximately 3,000 sailings annually to more than 250 ports in 100 foreign countries. It's facilities consists of:
- Newport News Marine Terminal
- Norfolk International Terminals
- Portsmouth Marine Terminal
- Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal
- APM/Maersk Terminal in Portsmouth
The
Port of Virginia currently handles over 2 million TEUs. By 2017, activity at the new APM/Maersk Terminal will push the container volume capacity to over 4 million TEUs. The Craney Island Marine Terminal under construction will take the container volume to 8.4 million TEUs by 2032.
The Port of Richmond is 78 miles upriver from Newport News and provides convenient access to I-95 and is supported by CSX and Norfolk Southern.
Six Port of Entry facilities and one Service Port facility also serve Virginia businesses: Front Royal, Newport News, New River Valley Airport in Dublin, Norfolk (Service Port), Richmond-Petersburg, Tri-Cities near Bristol in Northeastern Tennessee and Washington-Dulles in Northern Virginia.
Norfolk Southern and CSX offer comprehensive freight transportation service. These two rail lines provide direct, thorough coverage of states east of the Mississippi River and provide transfer opportunities in major Midwest cities. Norfolk Southern’s expanded Heartland Corridor route will eliminate over 200 miles for Chicago-bound trains and will significantly reduce shipping time and costs.
In
2008, Virginia’s Global Logistics Industry employed more than 73,000 people, primarily in Trucking (22,000), Warehousing (20,100), and Transportation Support (14,800). The economic output of Virginia’s Global Logistics Industry totals $8.9 billion. Global Logistics supports an additional $6.5 billion in economic activity in Virginia.
In
the past ten years, 426 Global Logistics Industry projects have announced over 21,000 new jobs and capital investment of $2.1 billion.
Recent
major announcements include: |
| Company Name |
Location |
| Ace Hardware |
Prince George Co. |
| Dollar Tree Stores |
Chesapeake |
| Evergreen Enterprise |
Richmond |
| Fresh Tulips USA, LLC |
Culpeper Co. |
| GlaxoSmithKline |
Chesterfield Co. |
| Goya Foods |
Prince George Co. |
| HSN |
Roanoke Co. |
| Harris Teeter, Inc. |
King George Co. |
| Home Depot (2) |
Frederick Co. |
| J. Crew |
Lynchburg |
| Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA |
Portsmouth |
| Mazda Motor Corp. |
Chesterfield Co. |
| Moss Motors, Ltd. |
Dinwiddie Co. |
| NYK Logistics Inc. |
Chesapeake |
| Owens & Minor |
Hanover Co. |
| QVC |
Chesapeake |
| Safco Products Company |
Isle of Wight Co. |
| SYSCO (2) |
Multiple |
| Target (2) |
Multiple |
| Wal-Mart (4) |
Multiple |
Strong occupational and technical training programs designed to meet the needs of the Global Logistics industry are provided by Virginia's colleges and universities and community college system. Degree programs include:
- Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics
- Maritime and Supply Chain Management
- Logistics Management
- Ground Transportation Operation
- Diesel Mechanic/Technician
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Truck Driving Training
- Diesel Mechanic
Virginia's Global Logistics Research and Development Assets
- George Mason University School of Public Policy Center for Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics
- Old Dominion University International Maritime, Ports and Logistics Management Institute
- US Army Logistics Management College
- University of Virginia Center for Transportation
- Virginia Tech Center for Unit Load Design
- Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
The Commonwealth of Virginia offers companies a favorable
business environment characterized by a stable, competitive tax structure and
legislation that protects "at will" and "right-to-work" employment practices.
- Worker's compensation and
unemployment insurance payroll expenses are consistently among the lowest
in the nation
- 6% corporate income tax accounts
for less than 10% of total state tax revenues and has not changed in over
thirty years
- Manufacturers receive broad
sales tax exemptions for purchases of machinery, tools, replacement parts
and raw materials used in the production process, as well as all utilities
delivered through pipes, mains, and lines for all purposes
- Virginia does not tax accounts
receivable, inventory, computer software or other intangibles, and does
not levy a license tax on gross receipts
- The primary local taxes apply
to real estate and machinery and equipment
- There are no school taxes
in Virginia
- Virginia has extremely reliable
electric service at very competitive rates—average cost per unit of
electricity for the industrial sector is 4.63 cents in Virginia, compared
to 6.15 cents for the nation
- Unsurpassed quality of life—healthcare, educational
and recreational benefits for families rank among the finest available anywhere
in the United States
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