Key Companies in Southwest Virginia

CGI, Russell County

CGI, Russell County

Regional Highlights

Southwest Virginia is a region of mountains, rolling hills, and wide-open valleys that includes seven counties (Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise) and the City of Norton. An abundant natural resource base consisting of timber, coal, limestone, and natural gas provides economic opportunities for onshoring. Accessibility to interstate highways makes the region a convenient location to reach markets east of the Mississippi and in the Midwest.

Birch Knob, Dickenson County

Birch Knob, Dickenson County

Virginia's Scenic Gateway

As the trivia question goes, Lee County in far Southwest Virginia is closer to eight other state capitals than it is to Richmond. The westernmost corner of the Commonwealth is midway between Atlanta and Pittsburgh, Charlotte and Cincinnati, and Richmond and Louisville. That placement, along with strong nearby infrastructure — seven interstate highways run within close proximity to its borders, accessible via four-lane highways in the region — makes Southwest Virginia an advantageous location for companies looking to reach markets east of the Mississippi River. The region is known as Virginia’s e-Region because of its broadband access and focus on electronic information technology, energy, emerging technologies, education, and entrepreneurship. Major IT and data center companies such as Northrop Grumman, CGI, SAIC, and DP Facilities have chosen to operate in Southwest Virginia alongside leading manufacturers like Tempur Sealy International and Tadano Mantis.

Location

Strategically located midway between Atlanta-Pittsburgh, Charlotte-Cincinnati, and Richmond-Louisville, Southwest Virginia is within a day’s drive of more than half of the U.S. population. Major interstates and excellent four-lane highways enhance the region’s accessibility.

Southwest_Virginia
The PBE Group, Tazewell County

The PBE Group, Tazewell County

  • Seven interstates are within close proximity: I-81 (1 mile), I-26 (2 miles), I-381 (6 miles), I-77 (6 miles), I-75 (24 miles), I-64 (28 miles), and I-40 (36 miles).
  • Four-lane highways in the region (U.S. 19, 23, 58, 460 and 421) increase connectivity to major interstates and markets.
  • Freight rail service is provided by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern, offering a wide range of reliable and efficient shipping options.
  • The Virginia TradePort, located at the New River Valley Airport, is 67 miles north, and The Port of Virginia, offering the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast, is 387 miles east.
  • Six regional airports provide general aviation service, and Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) provides commercial air service with connections to Atlanta, Charlotte, and Orlando/Tampa.

JM Conveyors Finds Room to Grow in Southwest Virginia

JM Conveyors began its search in 2017 for the perfect site to house a new product line. After exploring real estate across the East Coast, Virginia stood out for its business-friendly environment and portfolio of ready-made sites.

Read the Full Case Study

A Search for Talent Leads England Furniture to Virginia

England Furniture’s employees had been working overtime at its headquarters in Tennessee, and the management team sought a new, strategically located facility with the space and dedicated workforce to accommodate continued growth.

Read the Full Case Study
University of Virginia's College at Wise UVa-Wise

University of Virginia's College at Wise UVa-Wise

Talent Development

Four colleges and universities are located within the region, and many other higher education facilities are within a 125-mile radius. The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is home to Virginia’s only undergraduate degree program in software engineering. Working cooperatively with the region’s community colleges and universities and the industry-driven Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, companies have access to tailored training like fast-track software programming, IT help desk training, or advanced manufacturing technology. Students are exposed to the latest technologies in modeling and simulation, robotics, 3D printing, drone technology, cybersecurity, and environmental technologies.

We have developed a strong relationship with the community, and we are fortunate to have a well-educated workforce committed to excellence in quality, safety, productivity, and environmental compliance.

Scott Thompson Chairman and CEO, Tempur Sealy
The Energy DELTA Lab Rendering, Wise County

The Energy DELTA Lab Rendering, Wise County

A Hub for Energy Research in Southwest Virginia

In a region where coal once dominated, the Energy DELTA Lab will be a proving ground for clean energy advancements.

Carter Family Fold, Scott County

Carter Family Fold, Scott County

Heritage Music Shapes the Future of Southwest Virginia on The Crooked Road

As U.S. Route 58 winds west along the southern border of Virginia into the Blue Ridge Mountains, the road takes on another name — The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail is a 330-mile driving route through Southwest Virginia.

Living in Southwest Virginia

The beautiful scenery, outdoor recreational opportunities, museums, historical reenactments, festivals, music events, and access to quality health care and educational facilities are only some of the perks of living and working in Southwest Virginia.

The region’s highway systems, broadband, and wireless enhance accessibility and add to its appeal as a quality business location. Bordering Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, Southwest Virginia also has the advantage of a mobile workforce and proximity to the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area with a population of nearly 600,000.

Numerous recreational and cultural activities are available in Southwest Virginia. The area is surrounded by an abundance of scenic natural beauty, and residents and visitors enjoy hiking and picnicking at Jefferson National Forest and Breaks Interstate Park, one of only two Interstate Parks in the nation. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Natural Tunnel State Park are also located in the region, and outdoor activities like hunting, swimming, fishing, ATV trails, and boating are offered in each locality. Two of the nation’s best historical driving trails go through the region: The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail and The Wilderness Road: Virginia’s Heritage Migration Route.

ATV Spearhead Trails, Coeburn

ATV Spearhead Trails, Coeburn

Breaks Interstate Park, Dickenson County

Breaks Interstate Park, Dickenson County

Natural Tunnel, Scott County

Natural Tunnel, Scott County