Roanoke-based Cherney Development today announced the completion of an $11 million development deal that will bring a new distribution operation for Lowe’s Companies, Inc. to Roanoke County. The new warehouse and distribution center is expected to generate 70 new jobs and contribute to the economic vitality of the county and the region.

Cherney Development, in partnership with Samet Corporation, a leading contractor and development firm for the Southeast, will develop the site and construct the 60,000-square-foot distribution warehouse in Roanoke County’s Valley TechPark located on Technology Drive in West Roanoke County near Dixie Caverns. The Roanoke office of Cushman & Wakefield l Thalhimer handled the brokerage.

The new warehouse and distribution site will position Lowe’s to more quickly and efficiently deliver products to consumers in the region as the 5G revolution takes hold and revolutionizes online commerce and delivery logistics. Lowe’s expects to fill 70 jobs at the site from delivery drivers to warehouse staff.

“We’re on the cusp of great leaps in logistics and the delivery of consumer goods enabled by the roll-out of 5G and IOT technology,” says Jim Cherney, Founder and CEO of Cherney Development. “To realize the full benefits this provides, we need physical infrastructure in place and I’m proud to work with Samet Corporation and Roanoke County Economic Development who helped pave the way to make that
possible right here in the Roanoke Valley.”

 

“We are excited to be a part of the site development and construction of this facility,” says Ken Grube, Regional Vice President for Samet. “We’ve been constructing projects like this one for over 60 years and understand the importance in creating a trusted partnership with all the key stakeholders to deliver both an exceptional project and experience for everyone involved.”

Construction is expected to begin in the coming months and be completed within about a year. The project is being financed by First Community Bank.

“I’m thrilled to see this project come to life,” says Jill Loope, Director of Economic Development for Roanoke County. “There has been a lot of interest in logistics projects over the past year and Cherney’s partnership with Samet has paved the way for the Lowe’s project, bringing new jobs and investment to the County. I hope to see more innovative partnerships like this in the future as we work together to achieve successful economic outcomes.”

Cherney purchased the 8.45-acre plot of land in the TechPark in January 2021 as a site for warehouse and distribution development and has since been working to bring a national brand to Roanoke County. In addition to Lowe’s, he also has plans to construct several new 1,500 sq. foot industrial warehouses that will further contribute to the vitality of the local economy.