Layman Distributing, a small, woman-owned, full-service wholesale distributor, will relocate and establish operations in Salem, Virginia. The $6.8 million project is expected to create 42 jobs.

The company will relocate to a facility at 2157 Apperson Drive that will double its square footage and operational capacity.

“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary this year, we look forward to our continued future growth and investment in the City of Salem and Southwest Virginia,” said Justin Keen, Vice President of Corporate Development for Layman Distributing. “Everyone from Mayor Renee Turk, City Manager Jay Taliaferro, Economic Development Director Tommy Miller, all the way down to the City of Salem Water Department have given us a great deal of consideration that ultimately led to our decision to expand in the City of Salem. With the vast support of pro-business leaders such as Governor Youngkin, Secretary Merrick, Senator Suetterlein, and Delegate McNamara, we felt Virginia and the City of Salem was the right place for us to continue to grow our business. We would like to extend a special thanks to R.L. Price Construction and First Citizens Bank for their unwavering support of this project.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with the City of Salem and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project and will support Layman Distributing’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

“Layman Distributing is a valued long-term employer in the City of Salem and its expansion will bring 42 new jobs and strengthen Virginia’s supply chain management sector,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “The region’s robust workforce and access to expanding markets along I-81 will help the company serve its growing client list, and we stand ready to support Layman’s continued success in the Commonwealth.”

Founded in 1948, Layman Distributing is a small, woman-owned wholesale distribution company. The company began its business distributing tobacco products and now offers over 12,000 stock-keeping units of convenience and grocery store products to its customers, which include convenience stores, restaurants, universities, dining halls, vending services, and independent grocers.

“It is encouraging to see a long-tenured business from the Roanoke Region investing in its future growth,” added John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “Layman Distributing is a vibrant business that recognizes and pursues growth opportunities, and its continued success directly contributes to the growing industrial diversity of the Roanoke Region.”