NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Governor Ralph Northam announced on Thursday that MS International (MSI) will invest $4.65 million to establish a 64,000 square foot distribution and showroom facility in the City of Norfolk.
With this investment comes the promise of 20 new jobs.
“We thank MSI for creating 20 new jobs and investing in the region, and we are confident the company will thrive in its Norfolk location,” Northam shared in a statement on Thursday.
A leading stone, countertop, landscaping tile and porcelain distributor, MSI has over 1800 employees worldwide and makes over $1 billion in annual revenue. The company currently uses the Port of Virginia in Norfolk to process its imports.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball says that this is one of the primary reasons for their decision, “[they] will take full advantage of its close proximity to the Port of Virginia in Norfolk. We look forward to continuing this partnership.”
The president of MSI, Rupesh Shah echoes this statement. “…there is no better place for our second Virginia facility than the City of Norfolk.”
Their decision to build in Norfolk comes after Northam met with company officials in California earlier this week.
Delegate Joesph Lindsey labels the decision a win-win, “They get a ready workforce, and we get a good corporate partner.”
MSI currently operates a 60,000 square foot facility in Sterling, Va. The Norfolk facility is set to be fully functional by 2019.
