Area Development
Ace Hardware Corp., the world's largest hardware franchise company, has announced it invest $14 million to establish an East Coast import re-distribution center in Suffolk, VA. The operations will create 75 jobs over the next three years.

The company chose a 336,000-sq.-ft., build-to-suit location at the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Suffolk for the center. It will service Ace's firm's existing East Coast regional distribution centers, including the one in Prince George County.

Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, noted that 54 small business owners across Virginia own stores that belong to the Ace Hardware cooperative, and they employ hundreds of Virginians. "The cooperative also employs 275 people at its regional distribution center in Prince George County. We welcome the expansion of such a valued Virginia employer into the City of Suffolk."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with City of Suffolk and Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. A $100,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund will help the City of Suffolk with the project. Also, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment, training and retraining requirements.

Gov. McDonnell said he was extremely pleased that Ace Hardware Corp. has recognized "the world-class capabilities of Virginia's premier transportation system that includes the Port of Virginia, one of the largest intermodal networks on the East Coast."