Preferred Freezer Services plans to build a $60 million cold storage warehouse in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Along with the 200,000-s.f. cold storage warehouse, the company plans to hire 60 associates. The new facility will be used to import, export, process and distribute a variety of food products.
“The entire Preferred Freezer Services team is honored to be working with the great people of Portsmouth and the Commonwealth of Virginia to build our next cold storage facility at this perfect port location,” President of Preferred Freezer Services Brian Beattie said. “We look forward to hiring over 60 people to service our customers throughout the area and manage the over 31,000 new pallet positions that will expand our import and export abilities. Our Chesapeake, Virginia location arguably has the best team of people in our entire network, and we look forward to adding the same caliber of people at this waterfront location.”
Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Portsmouth, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and the Virginia Port Authority to secure the project for the region.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam approved a $180,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Portsmouth with the project. The company qualifies for state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Preferred Freezer Services also is eligible for benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic Development Zone Grant Program, the Rail Industrial Access Program and the Economic Development Access Program.
“Preferred Freezer Services’ new operation in the City of Portsmouth will harness the region’s valuable assets, including unparalleled access to global markets through the Port of Virginia and the world-class workforce in Hampton Roads,” said Gov. Northam. “The company’s significant investment and major footprint expansion further reinforces the strength of the area’s logistics infrastructure, supply chain industry and dedicated talent pipeline.”
