By Olivia Whitehouse

Published: May 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM EDT|Updated: May 9, 2025 at 7:26 PM EDT

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) - A groundbreaking was held in Staunton on Friday, May 9 for a new Columbia Gas of Virginia operations center.

This new facility is set to accommodate over 70 employees. Columbia Gas of Virginia President & Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague said the operations center has been planned for quite some time. Montague added that this new facility will have a modern warehouse and a drive-through loading lane.

“This center is critically important for the valley and northern piedmont area,” Montague said. “It will serve more than 34,000 customers in a variety of cities.”

Montague said she is proud of the team that has worked on engineering and building the center. She added that Columbia Gas has a longstanding relationship with the Staunton community. Now that the groundbreaking ceremony is complete, construction will continue to work to get the center open.

“Right now, we plan to transition the employees that are currently at our Coalter Street location,” Montague said.

A groundbreaking was held in Staunton on Friday for a new Columbia Gas of Virginia operations center that is set to accommodate over 70 employees.

Columbia Gas of Virginia is still determining what steps to take with its location on Coalter Street. Amanda DiMeo, Economic Development Director for Staunton, said this is an exciting time for Staunton Crossing.

“Columbia is an institution in Staunton, they have been here a long time, so we are excited to have them be the first business to locate here,” DiMeo said.

DiMeo said this site will help prompt more development in the area and has the potential to grow and expand from here.

“When I started with the city, this was still filled with the old dilapidated Western State buildings. It took a lot of work, and grant support from the state to get where we are now,” DiMeo said.

Along the way, DiMeo said, the city will inspect along the construction process, and support Columbia Gas in making this location their new home. The new center is scheduled to open in April 2026.

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Full WHSV article and video click here: Columbia Gas operations center holds groundbreaking

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