Area Development
SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of wholesale accessories and apparel, will establish a distribution operation in Hanover County, Virginia. The $50 million project is expected to create 1,000 jobs.

The 1.1 million-square-foot speculative facility will be located at the East Coast Commerce Center.

“Whenever we look at a facility, of course we're looking at logistics and the labor market, but we're also really looking at the community and the culture, and the people who will be working in the building,” said Jeremy Lott, CEO of SanMar. “When we came here, we knew right away that this is a place we wanted to be. As we met and talked with people in the area, we knew this could be a great fit for us and for our future growth. We couldn't be more excited to be here, to fill up this building, to build our team here, and to make this a home for a really long time.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Hanover County and The Port of Virginia to secure the project. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

“SanMar’s new operation will be a substantial addition to Virginia’s diverse logistics sector and bring valuable jobs and an economic boost to Hanover County,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Securing a project of this caliber says a great deal about the Commonwealth’s strategic location, competitive operating costs, and top-notch workforce, and we are proud to welcome SanMar’s largest distribution facility that will create up to 1,000 new jobs.”

At SanMar® Corporation, the company does more than make and sell t-shirts. SanMar builds meaningful connections that elevate lives. Family owned and operated, the company is based in Issaquah, Washington, with eight additional distribution centers nationwide and apparel from more than 30 brands.

“SanMar’s strategic decision to locate in Virginia holds real value for the company, The Port of Virginia, and the Commonwealth,” added Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The Hanover County location gives SanMar easy access to Richmond Marine Terminal, which is an important, growing, inland logistics center on I-95. The port benefits because of an increase in volume, and then the job creation and investment has benefits that reach across Virginia. We are excited about the opportunities of having SanMar as a port user and are looking forward to a very productive, long-lasting relationship.”