Find Out More About the Richmond Area Economy & Job Market 

Some of the most talented business minds in the world call Richmond home. Leaders of multiple Fortune 500 companies base their operations in the area and readily acknowledge that Richmond is an integral part of their success.

What Forbes Magazine Says about Richmond
With top-rate universities in an affordable community, the Richmond area is unparalleled in its business climate, which is why it consistently earns accolades and awards. In 2005, Forbes Magazine ranked the greater Richmond area as one of the top 20 best places for business and careers in America. Additionally, the January 2005 issue of Expansion Management magazine defined the region as the 13th hottest American city for business expansion and relocations.

Business leaders commend the area's central location, variety and ease of transportation, and highly trained workforce. With 45 percent of the population between the ages of 25 and 54, Richmond has a large pool of workers with a deep knowledge in chemical, agricultural, financial, medical and technological fields.

A New Fortune 500 Coming to Town
In fact, MeadWestvaco (No. 267 on Fortune 500) recently announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to the area. The packaging and paper company recognized Richmond as the ideal place to continue its lucrative operations.

A Growing Convention Destination for Business
Even when companies aren't headquartered in Richmond, professionals from across the country still seek out the area for their business meetings. In 2004, Richmond hosted 140 conventions with 180,000 attendees, about the same population as currently lives inside the city limits.

Fortune 500s in Richmond
Richmond is the proud home of several Fortune 500 companies:

Dominion Resources (No. 151)

• One of the nation's largest producers of energy
• Provides electricity & natural gas to 50 million homes in the Mid-West, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions

Circuit City Stores (No. 231)

• A leading provider of consumer electronics in more than 600 stores
• Employs more than 40,000 employees worldwide

MeadWestvaco (No. 267)

• One of America's largest paper and paper-based packaging companies.
• Has strategic locations in 29 countries, serving customers in nearly 100 countries worldwide

Performance Food Group (No. 328)

• Dating back to 1875, now one of country's foremost foodservice distributors
• Serves all 50 states and 41 countries

Brink's (No. 409)

• Security services company for residential and commercial customers
• 45,000 employees serve in more than 130 countries

CarMax (No. 422)

• Largest retailer of used cars with 67 superstores in 31 markets
• Sold 285,950 used cars in 2005

Owens & Minor (No. 427)

• A leading distributor of medical & surgical supplies
• Serves more than 4,000 hospital patients nationally

Large Employers in Richmond
Large employers with a strong presence in Richmond include:

• Capital One Financial Corp - As the area's largest private employer of 7,346 employees, the company provides financial services of loans, credit cards and home equity.
• HCA Inc. - Based in Nashville, the corporation employs 6,570 local residents to handle the operations of its Central Atlantic division headquarters and some area healthcare facilities such as Henrico Doctors' Hospital and Retreat Hospital.
• Philip Morris USA - A part of the Altria Group (No. 17 on Fortune 500), the cigarette company relocated its corporate headquarters from New York City to Richmond in 2003 and now employs 6,450 in its administrative and plant operations.
• Virginia Commonwealth University Health System - The academic medical center employs 6,549 and provides healthcare services and teaching opportunities.
• Wal-Mart Stores Inc.- The giant discount retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., is the No. 1 business listed on Fortune 500. With 5,600 employees in the area, Wal-Mart operates nine super centers, three Sam's Clubs, one traditional store, and one distribution center

Click here for a more detailed list of Richmond's top employers