Market

Virginia’s largest city, Suffolk is 430 square miles of rich land with woods, lakes, rivers and rolling terrain that make the area bountiful for residents and businesses alike. The city’s schools, parks, neighborhoods, health care facilities and utilities help create a successful community. In fact, some of the region’s most prosperous companies already call Suffolk home. And the great potential for growth is attracting many new businesses and employees. This is a place full of pride, full of promise — a place where progressive isn’t just a description, it’s an attitude. It’s a place with visi.

Population

City 84,585 (2010 Census)

Geographic description

Suffolk is located in the Hampton Roads region in Virginia, which also includes Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. Nearby are family-friendly beaches and many historical attractions.

Major employers

Lockheed Martin, QVC, Lipton, Planters Peanuts, Sentara Obici Hospital, City of Suffolk, Suffolk Public Schools

Education

Currently there are 12 public elementary, four middle and three high schools located within the city of Suffolk. There also are two private schools, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and First Baptist Christian School, which both serve students in pre-k through high school.

Suffolk public schools partner with the Pruden Center for Industry and Technology to prepare students with vocational and technical training in a variety of fields such as electronics, culinary arts, building trades and computer network administration. The center also offers adult continuing education and recreational classes in the evening.

One community college has a facility within the city of Suffolk. Paul D. Camp Community College, located on the western side of the city, awards associates degrees in Arts and Science or technical degrees in Applied Science. Through the Division of Workforce Development, PDCCC provides an array of business-related services designed to meet the training and educational needs of both existing and new employers in the region. The college also operates a 5000-square-foot workforce Development Center in Downtown Suffolk.

History

In 1974, the city of Suffolk consolidated with the towns of Holland and Whaleyville and Nansemond County. The result was a new municipality encompassing 430 square miles, making it the largest city in land area in Virginia and the 11th largest in the country.

In 1912, an Italian immigrant, Amedeo Obici, moved from Pennsylvania to Suffolk and opened Planters Nut and Chocolate Company. Today Suffolk remains a major peanut processing center and transportation hub.

Culture

In 2010, Money magazine named Suffolk one of its Top 100 Small Cities to Live In, citing its economic climate and natural and recreational resources.

The city’s 430 square miles are rich in natural beauty and wide-open spaces. But it’s also home to dozens of major employers, enabling residents to live close to where they work without time-intensive commutes, giving them a little more time to stroll walkable neighborhoods, to take advantage of convenient shopping, and to enjoy the recreational pleasures of 8,000 acres of lakes and miles of riverfront.

Parks and Recreation Programs continue to expand. And enthusiasts who love golfing or birdwatching, kayaks or museums find abundant resources right here.

A quality of life measure that’s important to all is healthcare, and Suffolk’s Obici Hospital medical complex and many outpatient clinics deliver with state-of-the-art finesse.

Parade Magazine recently recognized the city’s annual Peanut Festival as one of the 50 Best Food Festivals in the nation. It’s a not-to-be-missed celebration of the lowly legume every October.

Recreation

Golf, fishing, tennis, parks and more

Area information

City of Suffolk
www.suffolkva.us

Suffolk Economic Development
www.yessuffolk.com/doing-business-in-suffolk/

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
www.hamptonroadschamber.com