Rural King will invest $40 million to establish a new distribution centre in Henry County, Virginia, creating 150 jobs and repurposing a major industrial facility as the company expands its East Coast logistics network. Announced by Governor Abigail Spanberger, the project will see the national farm and home retailer occupy a 500,000-square-foot warehouse at Patriot Centre Industrial Park, a facility vacated by VF Corporation in 2025. The investment supports Virginia’s strategy of redeveloping existing industrial assets while strengthening the Commonwealth’s position as a logistics and distribution hub. “Rural King’s decision to locate its new distribution center in Henry County underscores Virginia’s position as a premier logistics hub on the East Coast,” Spanberger said. “This investment brings new life to an existing facility and creates meaningful jobs for the region.” Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Illinois, Rural King operates more than 160 stores across the United States, supplying farm equipment, home improvement products, livestock feed, outdoor goods, and other rural lifestyle essentials through its retail network and e-commerce platform. Amy Shafer, Rural King’s Vice President of Human Resources, said the expansion will strengthen the company’s distribution network while supporting future growth. “We’re excited to expand our distribution network with this new facility in Henry County and deepen our commitment to serving customers across the region,” Shafer said. State and local officials said the project demonstrates the value of leveraging existing industrial buildings to accelerate investment and job creation while reducing development timelines. Henry County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams …
Rural King will invest $40 million to establish a new distribution centre in Henry County, Virginia, creating 150 jobs and repurposing a major industrial facility as the company expands its East Coast logistics network.
Announced by Governor Abigail Spanberger, the project will see the national farm and home retailer occupy a 500,000-square-foot warehouse at Patriot Centre Industrial Park, a facility vacated by VF Corporation in 2025.
The investment supports Virginia’s strategy of redeveloping existing industrial assets while strengthening the Commonwealth’s position as a logistics and distribution hub.
“Rural King’s decision to locate its new distribution center in Henry County underscores Virginia’s position as a premier logistics hub on the East Coast,” Spanberger said. “This investment brings new life to an existing facility and creates meaningful jobs for the region.”
Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Illinois, Rural King operates more than 160 stores across the United States, supplying farm equipment, home improvement products, livestock feed, outdoor goods, and other rural lifestyle essentials through its retail network and e-commerce platform.
Amy Shafer, Rural King’s Vice President of Human Resources, said the expansion will strengthen the company’s distribution network while supporting future growth.
“We’re excited to expand our distribution network with this new facility in Henry County and deepen our commitment to serving customers across the region,” Shafer said.
State and local officials said the project demonstrates the value of leveraging existing industrial buildings to accelerate investment and job creation while reducing development timelines.
Henry County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams said the reuse of the former distribution centre would return a major industrial asset to productive use while creating higher-paying employment opportunities for local residents.
The project also reinforces Southern Virginia’s growing role in logistics and advanced distribution, supported by access to interstate highways, rail infrastructure, and The Port of Virginia.
Sarah McCoy, CEO of the Virginia Port Authority, said the location will enable Rural King to strengthen its supply chain and improve service across the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership partnered with Henry County to secure the investment. The Commonwealth will provide a $750,000 grant through the Virginia Opportunity Fund, while workforce training will be supported by the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The project will also receive support through the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program.
The announcement adds to a growing pipeline of logistics and manufacturing investments across Virginia as the Commonwealth continues to compete for supply chain, warehousing, and distribution projects that generate long-term employment and economic growth.
