The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has announced the approval of a $750,000 Rail Industrial Access (RIA) grant to Perdue AgriBusiness, LLC, marking the first RIA grant awarded in FY2026. This funding will support the company’s expansion at its facility in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia.
Perdue AgriBusiness LLC, (Perdue) is a division of Perdue Foods which is based in Salisbury, Maryland. The agribusiness division in Chesapeake, Virginia crushes soybeans and other agricultural commodities to make oils used in cooking and other applications and exports soy and other grains to international markets. Chesapeake’s proximity to a deepwater terminal made Virginia the most suitable location for this expansion. Perdue applied for Rail Industrial Access grant funds in the amount of $750,000 to construct 2,085 feet of new track to serve its facility in Chesapeake.
With a total investment of $61.9 million, Perdue’s expanded Chesapeake location will feature crushing and oil processing equipment, a second storage pit, more efficient loading and unloading, and a transload facility. The project’s rail component is valued at approximately $3.1 million and will construct approximately 2,085 feet of new track. Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad, a Virginia shortline railroad, will serve the site.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board approved Perdue’s grant request of $750,000 to assist with rail construction, enhancing the facility’s capability to transport agricultural products. The Chesapeake location will facilitate the import of soy and grain products from farms in the Mid-Atlantic, while significantly increasing the export capabilities of the facility to ship products to overseas markets through the Port of Virginia.
“This project is a fantastic example of how strategic rail investments can fuel economic growth and strengthen Virginia’s position in global trade,” said DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson. “We are thrilled to partner with Perdue AgriBusiness to expand rail access in Chesapeake thereby connecting Virginia’s farmers and producers to new markets, creating jobs, and advancing sustainable freight transportation across the Commonwealth.”
The expansion of Perdue’s Chesapeake location underscores the state’s commitment to supporting businesses through strategic rail investments that enhance freight mobility and promote sustainable transportation solutions.
For more information about DRPT’s Rail Industrial Access Program, visit DRPT’s Website.
DRPT's mission is to connect and improve the quality of life for all Virginians with innovative transportation solutions. The agency works with rail and public transportation stakeholders to provide service to people throughout Virginia and promotes transportation options to the general public, businesses, and community decision makers. DRPT's vision is a connected Commonwealth with an integrated multimodal network that serves every person, every business, and every need. For more information, please visit www.drpt.virginia.gov.
