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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Amazon Plans Operation Hubs in Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia

03/11/2020
Amazon is continuing its investments with the launch of two new, state-of-the-art operations facilities in Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia. The projects are expected to create 1,500 new jobs.

The company will establish a multi-story robotics fulfillment center in Suffolk, creating 1,000 new jobs, as well as a 650,000-square-foot processing center (cross-dock) in the City of Chesapeake, which will bring 500 new jobs. Both operations are anticipated to launch in 2021.

“Virginia is a great place for business, and Amazon is excited to continue its growth and investment with two new, state-of-the-art operations facilities in Chesapeake and Suffolk,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment. “The Commonwealth and its incredible workforce have been vital to our ability to serve our incredible customers and provide great selection and super-fast Prime shipping speeds across the state and region.”

Amazon first launched its Virginia fulfillment operations in 2006 with a fulfillment center in Sterling. Since then, the company has grown its robust operations network to include more than 10 fulfillment and sortation centers and delivery stations in Ashland, Chester, Clear Brook (Frederick County), Petersburg (Dinwiddie County), Richmond, Springfield, and Sterling. In addition to the company’s Arlington headquarters, Amazon also has 13 Whole Foods Market locations across the state and three Prime Now Hubs in Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Springfield.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Chesapeake, the City of Suffolk, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, and the Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia. Amazon is eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program, and funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“Amazon is creating fulfillment and processing centers of the future, and we are proud that the Commonwealth is a thriving hub for the company’s supply chain,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “The new operations in Suffolk and Chesapeake will utilize the Port of Virginia, which is a critical economic development driver for the region and the Commonwealth.”

“Virginia has proven itself to be a prime destination with the business climate, infrastructure, global access, trained workforce, and talent pipeline that Amazon needs for its continued growth here,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “With an existing workforce of more than 10,000 full-time employees across our Commonwealth, Amazon’s economic impact in Virginia cannot be overstated. We celebrate the addition of two new, high-tech facilities in Suffolk and Chesapeake that will positively benefit the entire Hampton Roads region.”

“Amazon is making significant investments throughout Virginia that are helping to drive job growth, fuel the economy, and move cargo through The Port of Virginia,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “This strategic move to build in Chesapeake and Suffolk allows Amazon to be near the Mid-Atlantic’s premier global gateway and capitalize on the investments the port is making in efficiency and capacity.”

“We are thrilled that Amazon has selected Chesapeake and Suffolk for its two newest fulfillment and processing facilities,” said Doug Smith, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. “This announcement is a big win for the 757 and further solidifies the Hampton Roads region as a premier location for distribution-related business investment. We appreciate the collaborative efforts of our many regional and state partners who worked together to secure this project for Virginia, and we look forward to Amazon’s continued growth and success in our region.”

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