Key Companies in South Central Virginia

South Central Virginia is at the heart of the “wood basket” of Virginia, providing a strong base of supply and production. Additionally, there is an extensive manufacturing base utilized by companies as diverse as Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., and Georgia-Pacific Wood Products.

YakAttack, Prince Edward County

YakAttack, Prince Edward County

Regional Highlights

South Central Virginia is bordered by Lake Gaston, Buggs Island Lake, and the state of North Carolina, and includes 10 counties (Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward) and the City of Emporia. South Central Virginia boasts strong infrastructure to go with that strategic location — both physical (interstates 85 and 95 run through the region) and virtual (extensive fiber broadband). The latter has attracted major technology companies to the region — Microsoft opened a data center in Mecklenburg County in 2010 and has since expanded the facility six times. 

Learn more about South Central Virginia in Virginia Economic Review

Location

South Central Virginia is located in the southern Piedmont region of the Commonwealth, midway between the state capital in Richmond and the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina metropolitan areas. Boasting a superior transportation system that provides easy access to major road networks and port and air services, any market – national or international – is within easy reach.

South Central
American Buildings, Mecklenburg County

American Buildings, Mecklenburg County

  • I-85 and I-95 run through the region, and six other major interstates are within close proximity: I-64 (11 miles), I-295 (17 miles), I-195 (20 miles), I-81 (33 miles), I-40 (40 miles), and I-440 (48 miles).
  • U.S. Highway 58 is an east-west corridor that provides access to The Port of Virginia to the east and Virginia’s mountains to the west.
  • U.S. Highway 360 runs from Danville through South Boston to Richmond, and continues to the eastern Northern Neck.
  • Freight rail service is provided by CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Virginia Southern Railway.
  • The Port of Virginia, offering the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast, is one hour east and easily accessible via road or rail.
  • The Port of Richmond, a multimodal freight and distribution center, is located 60 miles north along I-95.
  • Eight regional airports offer general aviation services, and commercial air service with nonstop flights to domestic destinations is available from Richmond International Airport (RIC – 50 miles) and Norfolk International Airport (ORF – 90 miles).
Hampden Sydney College

Hampden Sydney College

Talent Development

Home to nationally ranked Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney College, and Southside Virginia Community College, the area’s workforce is well-educated. The high-quality public education system includes a curriculum based on both academics and technical skills, producing work-ready graduates.

As demand for cloud and online services continues to grow, Microsoft is investing in Virginia as a strategic location to help us deliver for our customers. Mecklenburg County has been a good home for Microsoft, and we’re committed to supporting the community through local partnerships to help deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits such as expanding access to high-speed broadband services and supporting skills training for positions in the information technology industry.

Noelle Walsh Corporate Vice President, Cloud Operations + Innovation, Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft, Mecklenburg County

Microsoft, Mecklenburg County

Microsoft Corporation’s Expanding Virginia Footprint

Today, the Commonwealth boasts the largest data center market in the U.S. with more than 700 data processing, hosting, and related establishments employing over 14,600 Virginians. Since 2008, more than $14.8 billion of capital investment has been announced Virginia’s data center industry, which attracts many of the most prominent brands in the tech world. Microsoft’s continued investment in its Mecklenburg County enterprise data center is a powerful success story for Southern Virginia’s visionary planning, world-class IT infrastructure, and skilled workforce.

Living in South Central Virginia

South Central Virginia’s skilled workforce is rooted in a tradition of manufacturing and agriculture and takes pride in producing quality products. The region’s excellent transportation network means that commute times are low – even over long distances – and traffic congestion is virtually non-existent. Employers can expect to attract workers from approximately a 60-mile radius.

Known primarily for its outdoor recreational opportunities, South Central Virginia is a hunter’s and fisherman’s paradise, with an abundance of wild turkeys, whitetail deer, and large-mouth bass. The rivers and lakes are the perfect setting for countless outdoor activities on land or water. Buggs Island Lake and Lake Gaston are known for water sports, boating, fishing, camping, and beautiful lakeside homes. Twin Lakes Park, Holliday Lake State Park, and Bear Creek State Park all offer swimming, boating, fishing, and camping.

The region also hosts art, theatrical, and musical events and visiting lecturers’ programs. Many residents enjoy participating in dramatic, comedic, and musical productions staged by various local theaters.

Colonial Theatre, Mecklenburg County

Colonial Theatre, Mecklenburg County

High Bridge Trail State Park, Prince Edward County

High Bridge Trail State Park, Prince Edward County

Meherrin River, Mecklenburg County

Meherrin River, Mecklenburg County