Gov. announces 75 new jobs in Suffolk

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Wednesday that Ace Hardware Corp. will invest $14 million to establish an East Coast import re-distribution center in Suffolk, which will create 75 new jobs over the next 36 months.

The company selected a 336,000-square-foot build-to-suit location at the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Suffolk, a news release from the Governor's Office said.

The project will service the company's existing regional distribution centers, including its operation in Prince George County.

Governor McDonnell said, “This is tremendous validation for the City of Suffolk and the entire Hampton Roads region as a center of international trade. I am 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.”

The release said 54 small business owners across Virginia own stores that belong to the Ace Hardware cooperative, and the independent owners employ hundreds of Virginians.

The cooperative also employs 275 people at its regional distribution center in Prince George County.

Ace Hardware Corp. is the largest hardware franchise company in the world.