ChamberRVA Hanover Business Council

Brandon Turner, Director of Economic Development for Hanover County, will provide an economic update of Hanover County, covering such topics as services his office provides for new and existing businesses, recent and upcoming successes and projects, discussion around several target industry clusters for the County, and discuss some of the challenges economic development is facing not only in Hanover but throughout the region and State.  Brandon has been in this role for the past three years but has been in a variety of roles in the Economic Development office over the past 8 years.  In addition, Brandon has worked in a number of local and regional roles since he started in Economic Development in 2007.

SanMar’s Ashland, Virginia distribution center is the company’s largest and serves as the flagship hub for East Coast operations. Spanning approximately 1.1 million square feet, the facility represents a significant investment in expanding SanMar’s national distribution network and supports fast, reliable delivery to customers across the region.

The Ashland site is designed with advanced material-handling and automation technologies, including an AutoStore system that enhances efficiency and scalability. AutoStore uses a high-density, grid-based storage system where robots retrieve inventory bins and deliver them to workstations, improving speed, accuracy, and space utilization.

Together, the size, technology, and strategic location of the Ashland facility position it as a critical part of SanMar’s commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and customer service.

• 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Networking
• 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Economic Update by Brandon Turner, Director of Economic Development for Hanover County​​
• 9:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. - SanMar Tours**