Coles Point, Westmoreland County

Northern Neck

Bordered by the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and Chesapeake Bay, the Northern Neck offers a rich heritage and unparalleled natural resources that have shaped the region’s industry base, coupled with a reliable talent pool and a business-friendly climate.

Key Companies in Northern Neck

Fat 'N Happy Oyster Company, Northumberland County

Regional Highlights

Virginia’s Northern Neck is the northernmost of three peninsulas on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, bounded by the Potomac River on the north and the Rappahannock River on the south. Encompassing Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries play a large role in the local economy; generations of watermen continue to harvest rockfish, blue crabs, and the famous Virginia oyster from the waters surrounding the peninsula, and family produce farms are still flourishing. Tourism is also a significant source of economic activity in the region, as visitors are attracted to the natural resources, history, and heritage of the Northern Neck. In 2022, the Northern Neck was officially designated as a National Heritage Area (NHA). The Northern Neck National Heritage Area Act will help deliver critical federal dollars, encourage public-private partnerships, and assign the Northern Neck Tourism Commission to help protect the natural, cultural, scenic and recreational resources. A regional broadband project combined with rural waterfront communities position the region as ideal for remote or hybrid work.

Location

Located just northeast of Richmond, toward the Chesapeake Bay, the Northern Neck’s primary roads system efficiently connects to major interstates and the Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Northern Virginia metropolitan areas. The navigable Rappahannock River provides many locations for deepwater shipping facilities, as well as easy access to the Chesapeake Bay and The Port of Virginia in Hampton Roads.

Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County

Four-lane highways in the region increase connectivity to major interstates and markets: Route 3 traverses the Northern Neck from Westmoreland County to Lancaster County, and Route 360 enters the Northern Neck outside Warsaw and ends in Northumberland County. Westmoreland County is 15 miles from Route 301 and about 40 miles from I-95 in Fredericksburg.
The southeastern towns of the Northern Neck – Irvington, White Stone, and Kilmarnock – are about 40 miles from I-64 near West Point.
The Port of Virginia, offering the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast, is located approximately 60 miles southeast.
Two regional airports provide general aviation services, and commercial air service is available from Richmond International Airport (RIC – 28 miles), Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF – 36 miles), and Norfolk International Airport (ORF – 61 miles)

Omega Protein, Reedville

Talent Development

A population of over 50,700 supports a robust workforce of more than 25,000, serving the range of businesses that support the region’s industry base. The Northern Neck Technical Center Governor's STEM Academy for Agriculture and Maritime Studies provides a comprehensive technical education, and the Rappahannock Community College Workforce Development Center both offer customized training to teach individuals in the region hands-on skills for immediate application in the workplace.

A wide range of businesses thrive in the region, including sawmills and timber-based companies, precision machining, hydroponic vegetable farming, oyster aquaculture, trailer welding and assembly, wineries, breweries, agricultural crop services, and security training.

Woman fixing trailer in manufacturing setting

Carry-On Trailer, Westmoreland County

Carry-On Trailer Finds Creative Talent Solutions in the Commonwealth

Carry-On Trailer is a manufacturer of steel and aluminum utility trailers serving major wholesale customers such as Tractor Supply Company, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Trailer World, Trailers Plus, Northern Tool + Equipment, and a network of privately-owned dealers. Since its establishment of a manufacturing operation in Westmoreland County in 2004, the company’s 85,000-square-foot facility has experienced a steady increase in product demand.

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A River Oasis Near the Nation's Capital

The northernmost of Virginia’s three peninsulas, the Northern Neck is surrounded by water, with the Potomac River (and Maryland) to the north, the Rappahannock River to the south, and the Chesapeake Bay to the east. Just 30 miles to the west is Interstate 95, making the Northern Neck convenient to Fredericksburg and other population centers, along with quick access to the Hampton Roads region and The Port of Virginia via Interstate 64 to the south. The Westmoreland County town of Colonial Beach — named one of the Nicest Places in America by Reader’s Digest in 2019 — is the main population center in the largely rural region. The agriculture, fishing, and forestry industries play a large role in the region’s economy, along with manufacturing and tourism — visitors are attracted to the area’s history, heritage, and lifestyle.

Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County

Living in Northern Neck

The Northern Neck has 1,109 miles of tidal shoreline along the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, and Rappahannock River, along with their tributary creeks and smaller rivers, providing a haven for boaters and water enthusiasts.

The region has emerged as a popular vacation and retirement destination due to its quality of life and accessibility to Richmond, Norfolk, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Colonial architecture, small-town charm, bed & breakfast inns, nine wineries, 17 museums, historic sites, marinas, and retail shops are among the valuable assets that attract visitors to the area. The Tides Inn, overlooking Carters Creek in Lancaster County, is a resort destination where memories have been created for generations. Amenities include two restaurants, spa, golf, tennis, boat cruises and ecology programming including an educational experience with oysters.

The Northern Neck’s natural attractions include Colonial Beach, the second-longest public beach in Virginia, Belle Isle State Park, Westmoreland State Park, and Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Other public access sites provide opportunities for fishing, boating, paddling, and yachting. Historic sites related to the nation’s founders are open to the public, including the George Washington Birthplace National Monument, the birthplace of James Monroe, and Stratford Hall Historic Preserve. Historic Christ Church, one of the oldest colonial churches in Virginia, has been preserved and maintained as a museum and is also a National Historic Landmark.

Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster County

Tides Inn, Lancaster County

Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster County