Site Selectors

Choose Chesapeake, Virginia

Nestled in the heart of Virginia, Chesapeake stands out as a vibrant hub for businesses, offering advanced logistics with broad access to road, rail, sea, and air transport. With more than 120 miles of commercial waterfront, extensive industrial spaces, and a strategic position within reach of key U.S. markets, Chesapeake is primed for companies ranging from startups to multinational giants.

Ready to say hello to a business-friendly environment with competitive tax incentives and a commitment to sustainable development? We’d love to offer you personalized tours and detailed demographic insights, ensuring a seamless and informed site selection process.

Tailored Support for Site Selectors

Understanding the unique needs of site selectors, Chesapeake offers dedicated tools, resources, and personalized assistance to streamline the selection process. From detailed demographic reports to site tours and introductions to local business leaders, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of what Chesapeake has to offer. Chesapeake, Virginia, stands out as a strategic, growth-oriented destination for businesses looking to capitalize on a dynamic economic landscape, advanced connectivity, and a skilled workforce. As a site selector, bringing your clients to Chesapeake is not just recommending a location; it's guiding them toward a future of prosperity.

Prime Commercial and Industrial Properties in Chesapeake

As one of Virginia’s most rapidly expanding cities, Chesapeake boasts an expansive 353 square miles of land, presenting a broad spectrum of real estate possibilities tailored to accommodate the ambitions of any business, from dynamic startups to established corporations. See below the Key Highlights of Chesapeake’s Real Estate Offering.

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Extensive Industrial Zoning:
With nearly 6,500 acres designated for industrial use, Chesapeake provides a robust foundation for manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing operations seeking room to grow.

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Ample Office and Industrial Space:
The city is home to more than 18 million square feet of developed office and industrial areas, offering a variety of spaces for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations.

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Strategically Positioned Commercial Areas:
Chesapeake features twelve major industrial and commercial regions, including fully-developed parks that cater to a wide range of business needs, facilitating synergy and innovation.

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Vast Retail Opportunities:
With more than 6 million square feet dedicated to retail, including two regional shopping centers, Chesapeake stands as a vibrant commercial hub, drawing consumers from across the region and supporting a thriving retail ecosystem.

Featured Properties

Advanced Connectivity and Logistics

Chesapeake sits at the nexus of the Mid-Atlantic’s logistical network, offering unparalleled access to major interstate highways, rail systems, international shipping routes, and global air connectivity. With over 120 miles of commercial waterfront and deep draft channels, plus a location within 750 miles of two-thirds of the U.S. population and industrial capacity, Chesapeake provides the efficiency and reach your clients need to excel in a global marketplace.

Access to a skilled workforce is critical, and Chesapeake delivers with a diverse talent pool drawn from the region’s rich educational and military institutions. Our workforce is ready to meet the demands of the 21st century, equipped with the skills necessary for today’s industries and tomorrow’s innovations. Partnering with local universities, technical schools, and training programs, we ensure a steady stream of qualified professionals.

Chesapeake Workforce Facts

  • Chesapeake has among the lowest worker’s compensation insurance rates in the U.S.
  • Local civilian labor force exceeds 125,000
  • Salaries below the national average
  • Local labor force is augmented annually by more than 17,000 exiting military personnel, 40,000 military spouses, and more than 8,500 graduating college students.
  • Chesapeake’s unemployment rate is 2.9%, lower than the U.S. average of 3.8% (March 2024)
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Local Unemployment Rate
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Local Unemployment Rate (2.9%)
Compared to the U.S. National Average (3.8%) in March 2024
Lower Worker's Compensation Insurance
Compared to Insurance Rates in the U.S. (Among the lowest worker’s compensation insurance rates in the U.S.)
Local Salaries
Compared to the National Average Salaries in the U.S.

WORKFORCE DISTRIBUTION BY INDUSTRY

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Chesapeake Economic Development | Preston Wilhelm | Deputy Director

Meet Preston Wilhelm

Deputy Director

If you’re ready to learn more about developing in Chesapeake, let Preston be your guide to success. Preston has nearly twenty years of experience in new and existing business development, as well as redevelopment, in the City.