LEGO says it will spend $1 billion to build new toymaking plant in Chesterfield County
CHESTER — The LEGO Group said Wednesday it will build its first U.S.-based toy manufacturing plant in southeastern Chesterfield's Meadowville Technology Park, a project that will carry a $1 billion price tag and result in 1,760 new jobs.
The plant will be the company's seventh plant globally and the second in North America. The LEGO building toys sold in the U.S. come from its plant in Monterrey, Mexico.
The 1.7-million square-foot plant will be located on 340 acres just off the Meadowville exit of Interstate 295. Construction will start this fall, with a projected completed production date of 2025. LEGO says it will set up a temporary packing operation at the site sometime in 2024.
In a statement issued by the Danish-based company, LEGO CEO Niels B. Christiansen called the move "an exciting step" because it gives them a presence in one of LEGO's largest markets. The company has a U.S. headquarters in Connecticut, but no manufacturing plans until now.
Christiansen said the plant will be 100% reliant on solar energy.
"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," Christiansen said in the statement. "We are also looking forward to creating fantastic employment opportunities for the people of Virginia.”
Operations at the plan will include molding and processing the toys, and a high-bay warehouse for distribution.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin's office issued a statement praising the decision to bring LEGO to Meadowville.
“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 the statement.
Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield County, in whose House of Delegates district the LEGO plant will be built, said in the same statement that she "couldn't think of a better company to join us with its mission focused on the power of play and its commitment to over 1,700 new jobs.”
LEGO, which derives its name from the Danish phrase "leg godt" that means "play well," started making its classic plastic building blocks in 1932, and is now the world's largest toymaker. Starting in the 1990s, it enjoyed a renaissance with additions to its inventory such as action heroes from DC Comics such as Batman. It has opened several "Legoland" theme parks around the world, including three in the United States, and has produced several TV shows and theatrical films involving its characters.
In exchange for locating in Virginia, LEGO will be eligible to receive a performance grant of up to $56 million and get as much as $19 million in site development improvements.
Job applications will start being received later this year. Anyone interested in finding out about LEGO employment should visit www.LEGOcareersvirginia.com to receive notifications about when the hiring process begins.
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist and daily news coach for USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Region which includes Virginia. He is based in Petersburg, Virginia. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: LEGO announces plans to build $1B central Virginia toy-making plant
