ADP center will create 1,800 jobs in Norfolk

ADP will invest $32.25 million to establish a regional customer-service center in downtown Norfolk, a project expected to create about 1,800 jobs.

“The new location will allow us to expand our talent pool,” says company spokesman Dick Wolfe. “Norfolk has a large veteran population and hiring vets is a key part of our talent acquisition strategy.”

A human resources and payroll company, New Jersey-based ADP has more than 630,000 customers in more than 100 countries. More than 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies use at least one of the company’s services.

The company currently has two locations in Virginia, with about 70 employees in Richmond and another 20 in Virginia Beach. Before picking Norfolk, ADP had been looking for a customer-service center site for about 12 months, starting with a list of more than 30 locations before paring it down to fewer than five.

“We chose to locate a new facility in Norfolk because of the thriving business climate in the city and commonwealth,” Wolfe says. “We have the opportunity to attract a diverse, educated and motivated workforce that will make significant contributions to ADP and add value to the client experience.”

The company will be renovating 2 Commercial Place adjacent to the former Bank of America Tower in Norfolk. “We hope to be fully staffed by about mid-2017,” Wolfe says, noting that many of the new jobs will be related to client support and implementation, finance and IT support.

The state is providing $5 million from the Commonwealth Opportunity Fund and an estimated $1.8 million from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program to assist with the project. An additional $5 million match is being provided by the city.  The performance-based grant would be funded with revenue resulting from the project. “The city is providing below-market-rate parking to the owner of 2 Commercial Place for ADP’s benefit,” Wolfe says.