LEGO to invest more than $1B in Virginia brick plant
The new LEGO facility will open in 2025 and be the seventh factory globally for the company
LEGO is planning to invest more than $1 billion to construct a U.S. manufacturing plant near Virginia’s capital of Richmond, according to Gov. Glenn Youngkin
"I’m thrilled to officially welcome @LEGO_Group to Virginia," Youngkin tweeted. "They will invest over $1 billion to construct its first manufacturing plant in Chesterfield County, creating over 1,760 new jobs. We look forward to a successful partnership."
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announcing LEGO's arrival in his state. (Twitter@GovernorVA / Fox News)
He added: "The LEGO Group's decision to establish its U.S. manufacturing plant in Virginia shines a global spotlight on the advantages that make the Commonwealth the best business location in the nation, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with this iconic company."
The Virginia factory, expected to open in 2025, will be the LEGO Group's seventh factory globally and the second in the Americas, joining a site in Mexico, according to a company news release.
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The 1.7 million-square-foot Virginia facility, featuring a carbon-neutral design, will mold, process and pack LEGO products and ensure they meet the company's safety and quality requirements.
It will be located in a publicly owned industrial park in Chesterfield County, about 20 miles south of Richmond near Interstate 95. All of its day-to-day energy needs will be matched by renewable energy generated by an onsite solar park, the company pledged.
Legoland New York Resort has a 20-foot-tall birthday cake on display for The Lego Group's 90th anniversary. (Legoland New York Resort / Fox News)
"We were impressed with all that Virginia has to offer, from access to a skilled workforce, support for high-quality manufacturers, and great transport links," Niels Christiansen, CEO of the family-owned company headquartered in Billund, Denmark, said in a statement. "We appreciate support for our ambition to build a carbon-neutral run facility and construct a solar park and are looking forward to building a great team."
The company will be eligible for a range of taxpayer-funded incentives, including a performance-based grant of $56 million and site development improvements subject to legislative approval estimated to cost up to $19 million, a news release said.
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Construction is expected to commence this fall and a temporary packaging site will open in an existing building nearby in early 2024, creating up to 500 jobs, according to the company's news release.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.