New industries will enrich city

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 14, 2004

Thursday’s news about Ferguson enterprises Inc. and Amadas Coach announcing definitive plans to settle in here are just two more examples of why it’s a good time to be in Suffolk.

Ferguson, based in Newport News, is the nation’s largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies, pipes, valves and fittings, water heating and air conditioning products.

A $5.4 million regional office/warehouse facility will be built in Northgate Commerce Park and measure a total 64,000-square-feet. There will also be room to grow when necessary.

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Construction is expected to begin immediately, should take just under a year.

The company picked Suffolk as so many other businesses have done so because of its central location within the Hampton Roads region.

Amadas Coaches (a sister to Amadas Industries, already in Suffolk) makes upscale motorcoaches for the likes of the musical groups Alabama and The Dave Matthews Band. Some of these vehicles can cost anywhere from $575,000 to $1.2 million.

This company’s arrival also comes at a time for Suffolk to help repay a $1.4 million state grant, which was made to fund the building of a shell building. Up until Amadas, there had been no takers. Thankfully, the new business will help tremendously. The company expects to be ready to work by early August.

We thank both companies for recognizing Suffolk’s potential and hospitality toward industry. It only serves to enrich the city not only economically, but more importantly with people who enhance the city.