German supermarket chain to create 700 jobs in Virginia

Lidl, a Germany-based discount supermarket chain, will invest $202 million in Virginia, creating 700 jobs as it expands into the U.S.

Lidl  currently operates nearly 10,000 stores in 26 European countries

The deal includes a $77 million U.S. corporate headquarters in Arlington County and a $125 million regional headquarters and distribution center in Spotsylvania County.

The company will create 500 jobs in Arlington and 200 in Spotsylvania.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe made the announcement after meeting company officials at Lidl’s international headquarters in Neckarsulm, Germany. McAuliffe is on a European marketing trip.

“This is a significant win for Arlington County and Spotsylvania County, and the jobs and economic activity it will generate will contribute directly to my administration’s work building a new Virginia economy,” the governor said in a statement. “Lidl’s investment demonstrates Virginia’s ability to attract companies from all over the globe.”

The state’s incentive package includes $5 million in grants from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund and $2 million in Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant (VEDIG) funds, a performance-based incentives program for  projects promising to create large numbers of jobs with wages.

Additional funding and services for Lidl employee training will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Brendan Proctor, president and CEO of Lidl US, said in a statement that Virginia’s strategic location and the depth of its workforce were key factors in the company’s decision.

Lidl is part of the Schwarz Group, one of the largest retailers in the world.