Stafford County’s Venture Business Park will soon be the home of a new 500,000 square-foot high-bay distribution center for DHL Supply Chain. The global logistics provider was confirmed to invest a total of $72 million in the project for its Real Estate Solutions unit at Stafford County’s Venture Business Park. This addition will continue supporting DHL Supply Chain’s initiatives in real estate and logistics engineering for the development of turnkey warehousing solutions.

“This significant investment and the addition of 577 new jobs come at a critical time when we are focused on rebuilding our economy and getting Virginians back to work,” he said. “The ongoing pandemic has underscored the value of supply chain management and delivery services during times of crisis. With our central East Coast location and advanced transportation infrastructure, our Commonwealth offers unparalleled advantages for businesses, and we are proud to support the company’s new high-tech operation in Stafford Country.”

In an announcement this week, Governor Ralph Northam confirmed the win for the project after competing with Maryland. Collaboration between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Stafford County ultimately secured the success for the state, along with a $1.7 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for the development of the facility. Additionally,  the Virginia Jobs Investment Program will support education and training efforts for the facility’s employee pool, contributing funding and services to further develop the region’s added workforce.

“Virginia has strong transport links catering for all modes of transport, access to a high-quality workforce, and an above-average level of GDP per capita, which contributes to an attractive investment environment for DHL Supply Chain’s Real Estate Solutions unit,” said Carl DeLuca, Head of Real Estate Americas for DHL Supply Chain. “We are excited to build on the company’s presence in this market, and are grateful to Governor Northam and his team, as well as the local authority of Stafford County, for the support they have provided to DHL on this project. We look forward to developing a solution that will deliver 577 jobs to the region and further enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of Virginia as a logistics hub.”

“On behalf of our entire Board, we are eager and excited to have DHL invest in Stafford, and we look forward to a long-term partnership with them in our community,” said Meg Bohmke, Chair of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.