Rural King will invest $40 million to establish a new distribution center in Henry County, creating 150 jobs and breathing new life into a former VF Corp. facility at Patriot Centre Industrial Park.
Announced June 30 by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the project is the latest in a string of industrial investments highlighted in the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp.’s fiscal year 2026 annual report. Together, three projects announced during the fiscal year are expected to create 328 jobs and generate $123.9 million in capital investment.
Rural King purchased the existing 500,000-square-foot building at Patriot Centre and plans to upgrade the facility for use as a regional logistics hub serving customers across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. The project is expected to create 150 jobs with an average annual wage of about $59,000, above Henry County’s median household income of $48,445.
“Rural King’s decision to locate its new distribution center in Henry County underscores Virginia’s position as a premier logistics hub on the East Coast,” the governor said. “This investment builds on that foundation by bringing new life to an existing facility and creating meaningful jobs for the region. We’re proud to increase Rural King’s presence in Henry County and to support a project that will strengthen our supply chains and create quality jobs for hardworking Virginians.”
Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois, Rural King operates more than 160 retail stores nationwide, specializing in farm supplies, home goods, outdoor equipment and hunting gear.
“We’re excited to expand our distribution network with this new facility in Henry County and deepen our commitment to serving customers across the region,” said Rural King Vice President of Human Resources Amy Shafer. “This investment reflects Rural King’s continued growth and our dedication to creating meaningful career opportunities in the communities we serve. Henry County offers a strong workforce and welcoming business environment, making it an ideal partner for this next phase of our expansion. We look forward to increasing our engagement in the community.”
“This project represents exactly the kind of smart growth we want to continue seeing in Henry County,” Henry County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams said. “Rural King is putting a major facility back into productive use, and they are bringing with them quality jobs that exceed our local wage averages.”
“This announcement is further proof that businesses recognize the strength of our workforce and the advantages our region offers,” said Del. Eric Phillips, R-Martinsville. “I want to thank Rural King for its investment, as well as the many local and state leaders, economic development professionals, and community partners whose hard work helped make this project a reality. I am privileged to serve Virginia’s 48th District, and this announcement sends a clear message: our region is open for business, and our momentum continues to grow.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Henry County to secure the project. Gov. Spanberger approved a $750,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist with the project. Henry County and the Harvest Foundation also approved local incentives, while additional workforce assistance will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The project also received support through the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program.
According to the EDC’s annual report, Rural King’s announcement capped a year that included other major industrial projects.
Nathan Trotter announced plans in September to invest approximately $65 million in a 115,000-square-foot tin production and processing facility at Tin Ridge in Henry County. The project is expected to create 118 jobs and establish what the company describes as the nation’s first large-scale facility capable of refining both tin concentrate and recycled tin.
In March, Fukoku America announced an $18.9 million investment to establish a manufacturing operation at Patriot Centre Industrial Park. The facility will produce rubber damper pulleys for automotive engines and thermal gap fillers for electric vehicle batteries and is expected to create 60 jobs.
Combined, the three projects announced during fiscal year 2026 represent one of the region’s strongest recent years for industrial recruitment, with 328 projected jobs and nearly $124 million in private capital investment.
Construction of a shell building on Tract 2 in the Patriot Centre also was completed, offering a major new opportunity for business growth. The 100,440-square-foot building is move-in ready and designed with flexibility in mind—it can expand to twice its current size, with the potential to grow even larger as needed.
Built with durability and efficiency, the facility offers high ceilings, multiple loading docks, and easy access for large vehicles, making it ideal for manufacturing, warehousing, or distribution. The site also includes ample parking and room to grow, sitting on 20 acres with additional land available.
