Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has unveiled plans for a significant expansion by WCS Logistics, involving a $27 million investment to construct an 83,000-square-foot cold storage facility in Frederick County. This development, situated along the strategic Interstate 81 trucking corridor, aims to enhance the company’s capacity by accommodating over 13,000 pallets in response to growing demand. WCS Logistics, with a history extending over a century and operating four locations across Virginia, is strategically positioned near the I-81 corridor, facilitating the efficient transportation of perishable goods along the East Coast. Governor Youngkin praised the company’s longstanding contribution to Virginia’s logistics sector and its ongoing commitment to the state’s economic growth, particularly within the logistics industry.
Peter Yates, General Manager and COO of WCS Logistics, expressed gratitude for the support from trucking industry partners and the opportunity to strengthen these collaborations through the company’s expansion. The new facility will be located adjacent to WCS Logistics’ existing site at 188 Brooke Road in Winchester, building on the company’s rich history since its inception in 1917 as Winchester Cold Storage Co. This expansion marks the company’s second significant venture into the cold storage market within the last five years, aiming to better serve current clients and extend services to new customers with third-party logistics needs.
Caren Merrick, Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade, lauded WCS Logistics for its century-long history of job creation in the state and anticipated the company’s continued success in Frederick County, with the expansion expected to generate over 15 new jobs. The significance of the I-81 corridor, as highlighted in Virginia’s 2022 Transportation Plan, underscores the area’s role in housing a substantial number of warehouse and distribution center facilities, essential for the state’s economic and infrastructure development.
Local officials, including Josh Ludwig, chairman at large of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, and State Delegate Bill Wiley, have voiced support for WCS Logistics’ investment, noting its potential to bolster the local food industry and contribute to the area’s desirability as a place to work, live, and raise a family. The initiative by WCS Logistics to expand its cold storage capabilities reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the supply chain and logistics infrastructure in Virginia, promising enhanced services for the agriculture and food industries in the region.
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