Why Suffolk, Virginia? 

Suffolk Means Business

Welcome to Suffolk – the fastest-growing city in Hampton Roads and a premier destination for business expansion, innovation, and quality of life. With abundant land, strategic location, and pro-business leadership, Suffolk is where opportunity meets lifestyle

View Our Economic Activity Report

Strategic Location

Suffolk is uniquely situated in the heart of the Hampton Roads region, offering direct access to:

  • Port of Virginia: Only 30 minutes away, providing one of the most modern and efficient ports on the East Coast.

  • Interstates 664 and 64 for seamless regional and national transportation.

  • Norfolk International Airport and Newport News/Williamsburg Airport within an hour’s drive.

  • Access to Class I railroads (CSX and Norfolk Southern) and the Heartland Corridor.

This connectivity makes Suffolk a vital logistics and distribution hub for global trade and domestic shipping.

Business-Friendly Environment

  • No BPOL Tax (Business, Professional, and Occupational License Tax) for manufacturers.

  • Enterprise Zones with state and local incentives to encourage investment and job creation.

  • Streamlined permitting process and active support from the Economic Development team.

  • Home to major employers like Amazon, Target, Lockheed Martin, Sysco, and Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA.

Quality of Life

 

  • Ranked among the Top 100 Best Places to Live (Livability.com).

  • Vast natural beauty: over 430 square miles of scenic landscapes, rivers, and parks.

  • Thriving historic downtown with shops, breweries, and cultural attractions.

  • Affordable cost of living with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural lifestyles.

  • Excellent public and private schools and Sentara Obici Hospital, a regional healthcare leader.

Room To Grow

 

  • As the largest city in Virginia by land area, Suffolk offers:

    • Ample shovel-ready sites

    • Designated industrial and business parks

    • Opportunities for commercial, residential, and mixed-use development

Groundbreaking

Growing Workforce & Talent Pipeline

  • Access to over 1.1 million workers in the Hampton Roads MSA.

  • Proximity to top-tier colleges and universities including:

    • Old Dominion University

    • Christopher Newport University

    • Tidewater Community College (Suffolk campus)

  • Partnerships with local schools and institutions to ensure workforce readiness in key sectors.

Innovation & Industry Strengths

Key target industries in Suffolk include:

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Logistics & Warehousing
  • Food & Beverage Processing
  • Cybersecurity & Defense
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences

Suffolk is also home to Tech and Innovation Parks, and emerging mixed-use developments like Obici Place and Downtown revitalization projects.