Virginia Economic
Development Partnership

901 East Byrd Street
P.O. Box 798
Richmond, VA 23218-0798
USA
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Inquiries:
(804) 545-5700 (Domestic)
(804) 545-5750 (International)
(804) 545-5600 (General)
(804) 545-5806 (Media)



Competitive Operating Costs
Virginia’s Cost-Effective Operating Climate
Believe it or not, companies have improved their bottom lines just by locating in Virginia. From soft costs like healthier, more productive workers, to hard costs like cheaper, available and reliable electricity, these companies have benefited from the combination of resources that only a Virginia location can offer.

  • Virginia manufacturers have one of the lowest average workers’ compensation costs in the country. At $2.09 per $100 of payroll in January 2009, it ranks 4th lowest nationally and is 44 percent lower than the U.S. average.

  • Unemployment tax burden, tied for 4th lowest in the nation, that is 37 percent lower than the national average.
  • In 2011, the average cost per unit of electricity for the industrial sector was 6.55 cents in Virginia, compared to 6.71 cents for the nation.

  • 6 percent corporate income tax rate has not been increased since 1972

  • Building costs in Virginia range from 4-23 percent below the national average, depending on the region of the Commonwealth. Some examples:

    • Fairfax – 92.2%

    • Lynchburg – 84.3%

    • Richmond – 86.7%

    • Roanoke – 83.6%

    • Norfolk – 87.2%

    • Bristol – 79.6%

    • Winchester – 83.5%

    • Farmville – 79.0%