The LEGO Group announced plans to build a $1 billion factory in Chesterfield, Virginia, expanding the company’s production to the U.S. The company held a Wednesday press conference with Governor Glenn Youngkin, and executives are highlighting the 1,760 new jobs expected from the factory and an onsite solar plant that will provide all of the facility’s required energy.
CEO Niels Christiansen said in a press release, “This is an exciting step for the LEGO Group. More and more families are falling in love with LEGO building and we are looking forward to making LEGO bricks in the U.S., one of our largest markets. The location in Virginia allows us to build a solar park which supports our sustainability ambitions and provides easy links to country-wide transportation networks. We are also looking forward to creating fantastic employment opportunities for the people of Virginia.”
“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,” Youngkin said in a separate press release.
The factory is planned to be built in the Meadowville Technology Park alongside I-295 and the James River. According to the LEGO release, construction will start in fall 2022, a temporary packaging site is scheduled to open in 2024, and production is scheduled to begin in 2025.
In Youngkin’s release, politicians highlighted work performed by the Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission (MEI) to bring LEGO to Virginia.
“The LEGO Group will be eligible to receive an MEI custom performance grant of $56 million based on an investment of more than $1 billion and the creation of jobs estimated to be in excess of 1,760, as well as site development improvements estimated at up to $19 million, subject to approval by the Virginia General Assembly,” Youngkin’s release states.
MEI Chair Senator Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) said in the release, “Today’s announcement demonstrates that the Commonwealth is an ideal launch pad for major international companies entering the United States, and I commend the team that worked to ensure the LEGO Group selected Virginia.”
MEI Vice-Chair Delegate Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach) said, “I am pleased the MEI Commission could collaborate with our state, regional, and local partners to secure this exceptional win for Virginia.”
In the LEGO press release, COO Carsten Rasmussen said, “Our factories are located close to our biggest markets which shortens the distance our products have to travel. This allows us to rapidly respond to changing consumer demand and helps manage our carbon footprint. Our new factory in the U.S. and expanded capacity at our existing site in Mexico means we will be able to best support long-term growth in the Americas. We are fortunate to find a location where we can begin construction quickly and create temporary capacity in under two years.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “LEGO Headquarters” by Lee LeFever. CC BY-NC 2.0.
