MerryGoRound, Inc., a fulfillment company based in North Carolina that specializes in apparel and collectibles, will invest over $10 million to open a new logistics and fulfillment center in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. The project is expected to create 203 jobs and will use a 400,000-square-foot facility to support the company’s expanding live commerce division. Virginia competed with North Carolina and Puerto Rico to secure the project.
“MerryGoRound’s decision to establish operations in Pittsylvania County demonstrates how Virginia’s strategic location and skilled workforce make it an ideal hub for e-commerce and logistics operations,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This innovative company will create over 200 new jobs in the growing digital retail sector, bringing exciting opportunities in technology and creative services to Southern Virginia. We are proud to welcome MerryGoRound to the Commonwealth.”
“The evolution of retail requires modern logistics solutions, and MerryGoRound’s selection of Pittsylvania County for its Live Commerce division shows Virginia’s readiness to support next-generation fulfillment operations,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “This project will create diverse job opportunities in technology and creative fields while strengthening the region’s growing e-commerce sector. We look forward to supporting MerryGoRound’s success in Virginia.”
The new facility will support MerryGoRound’s live commerce business, which manages online sales through platforms such as eBay Live, Whatnot, TikTok Shop, Fanatics Live, Walmart Live, and Amazon Live. The company supports several brand names including Pfootballpete, GoingTwice, and Annaya_F. The roles created by this expansion include positions in videography, graphic design, live commerce hosting, technology development, warehousing, freight management, and general fulfillment.
“On behalf of MerryGoRound, Inc., I would like to thank Governor Youngkin, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Pittsylvania County, and their respective economic development departments for their aid in helping us choose Virginia for MerryGoRound’s live commerce operations hub,” said company counsel Cabell Barrow. “My client looks forward to working with the county, the county IDA and surrounding community members to create meaningful longstanding careers and repurpose the recently vacated AAF Tank Museum property. They look forward to sharing more details about the project during a ribbon cutting event that will be scheduled in the near future.”
“The Industrial Development Authority applauds MerryGoRound for choosing Pittsylvania County as the location for its live commerce division,” said Pittsylvania County Industrial Authority Chairman Dr. Joey Faucette. “This decision further demonstrates that Pittsylvania County is becoming a leader in attracting business and industry to the Southside region. The reuse of the former AAF Tank Museum building is a win-win for both MerryGoRound and Pittsylvania County, and by creating 203 jobs, MerryGoRound offers additional opportunities for our residents and their children to continue to live, work and play in or near their hometowns.”
“The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors welcomes eVend to our growing and innovative business community,” said Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Tucker. “We are delighted with MerryGoRound’s investment, which in addition to repurposing a recently vacated facility, will offer our residents solid technology-based employment and added tax revenue for the county. This announcement also highlights the strength of our economic development team, and I want to thank them for their hard work in putting this together. The Board looks forward to working with MerryGoRound and wishes it continued success.”
“It’s always exciting when a new business comes to Pittsylvania County and MerryGoRound promises to be a unique and innovative addition to Southside,” said Westover District Supervisor Murray Whittle.“We are pleased that Pittsylvania County, along with the Commonwealth of Virginia, was able to outcompete neighboring North Carolina, as well as Puerto Rico, as the location of choice. We thank MerryGoRound for its confidence in Pittsylvania County as the place to grow.”
“By repurposing a 400,000-square-foot facility and creating over 200 jobs for highly skilled logistics and fulfillment experts, as well as launching an innovative live commerce division, MerryGoRound is bringing transformative opportunities to our region,” said Southern Virginia Regional Alliance Executive Director Linda Green.“This investment not only draws young professionals with technical and communication skills but also positions the region as a hub for global commerce in hypewear , toys and collectibles.”
“MerryGoRound’s decision to invest in Pittsylvania County is yet another example of Virginia’s growing reputation as a top destination for new business,” said Senator Tammy Mulchi.“This $10 million investment , coupled with the creation of over 200 jobs , will bring tremendous opportunity to the Southside region . I am proud to support MerryGoRound as they establish their live commerce division in the Commonwealth and look forward to their continued growth .”
“It is always a great day when we have a company bringing 203 jobs to the families of our region ,and I am proud that the Tobacco Commission can play an important role in making that happen ,”said Delegate Danny Marshall.“We thank MerryGoRound for their $10 million investmentand welcome them tothe community . We look forward totheir global success .”
The state worked alongside local agencies including Pittsylvania County officials https://www.pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1176/PittCo-Economic-Development-Overview?bidId=),the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance,andtheVirginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) https://vedp.org/partners/local-regional-partners/southern-virginia-regional-alliance)to securetheproject .GovernorYoungkin approveda$350 ,000 grant fromtheCommonwealth ’s Opportunity Fundtoassistwiththeproject.TheVirginiaTobaccoRegionRevitalizationCommissionapprovedanadditionalgrantof$145 ,500fromtheTobaccoRegionOpportunityFund.MerryGoRounidiseligibleforthePortofVirginiaEconomicandInfrastructureDevelopmentZoneGrantProgram https://www.portofvirginia.com/about/incentives/economic-and-infrastructure-development-zone-grant-program/).
“Having MerryGoRound invest $10 millionto developafulfillmentfacilityinPittsylvaniaCountyisanexampleofhowVirginiaisattractingtwenty-first-centurycompanies,”saidVirginiaPortAuthorityCEOandExecutiveDirectorStephenA.Edwards.“CompanieslikeMerryGoRoundarecomingtoVirginiatotakeadvantageoftheCommonwealth’sassetswithoneofthembeingthemodern ,twenty-firstcenturylogisticscenterthatisThePortofVirginia.We welcomeMerryGoRoun d tothecorporatecommunity andare readytoworkwiththecompany’steamtoensureithasaccesstoworldmarkets.”
SupportforthejobcreationwillbeprovidedthroughtheVirginiaTalentAcceleratorProgram https://www.vabusiness.com/article/talent-accelerator-ranked-no-1-workforce-training-program-in-u-s/)whichwasrankedasthetopcustomizedworkforcetrainingprogramintheU.S.byBusinessFacilitiesin2024.Thestatewillofferrecruitmentandtrainingservicestailoredtothecompanyatnocostasanincentiveforjobcreation.
