RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Eaton is investing more than $50 million and partnering with Sauer Properties to build a major new manufacturing plant in Henrico County’s Varina District.
The 350,000-square-foot facility will produce equipment to power AI and cloud data centers.
“We provide equipment mostly for cloud computing and AI data centers, and obviously the demand in both of those sectors right now is growing rapidly,” said Aidan Graham, President of Energy Services & Solutions at Eaton Corporation.
The new plant, located near Richmond International Airport, will roughly double Eaton’s footprint in the Richmond area, Graham said.
Sauer Properties President Marshall French took time to thank everyone who has played a part in the project coming to fruition.
“ARCO Design/Build, RK&K engineers, E.D. Lewis, Fall Line landscape architecture, Range Commercial Partners, CBRE and Pinnacle Financial Partners, along with many others who played key roles in bringing this project from concept to reality,” French said. “The collective effort, professionalism, dedication across this group has been exceptional. We’re truly grateful.”
Local and state leaders attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Varina on Thursday morning to mark the start of the project, with work on site continuing in the background.
“Today, again, is about investment, progress and building a stronger community,” said Rev. Tyrone Nelson, Varina District supervisor.
The ceremony also marked Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s first economic development groundbreaking since taking office.
“Eaton’s expansion isn’t just a vote of confidence in Henrico County or the greater region. It’s a vote of confidence in Virginia as a place where businesses can invest with confidence and expect that confidence to be rewarded,” Spanberger said.
Del. Delores McQuinn said the project reflects the importance of the technology sector.
“The equipment being produced here helps to power everything from business to data centers to the technology that is shaping our future, and it is shaping it really fast,” said McQuinn, who represents Virginia’s 81st District.
With the expansion, Eaton plans to add about 200 new jobs in Henrico County.
“So we’re super excited about that and for us it was a no-brainer to stay right here,” Graham said. “Adding these 200 will put us over 1,000 employees across six manufacturing sites in the Commonwealth.”
Graham said Eaton hopes to start hiring by the end of this year. The new facility is expected to open around summer 2027.
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