SUMMARY:<\/p>\n
Lego<\/a> has hired over 500 workers for its $1 billion Chesterfield factory and expects about 900 employees by year\u2019s end The Lego Group<\/a> has already hired more than 500 workers in the Richmond region as it builds its $1 billion Chesterfield County<\/a> factory, and expects that workforce<\/a> to grow to about 900 by the end of the year, the company announced Thursday.<\/p>\n The roughly 500 employees are working across the company\u2019s factory site, which remains under construction in Chesterfield County\u2019s Meadowville Technology Park, and a temporary packing facility, according to Lego. The Danish toymaker said the hiring<\/a> increase is intended to prepare for operations of highly automated molding and packing machinery ahead of the project\u2019s planned 2027 opening.<\/p>\n Billund, Denmark-based Lego first announced the project in July 2022 and held a ceremonial groundbreaking in April 2023. The factory is expected to create about 1,760 jobs over 10 years. The company initially planned to begin production in the second half of 2025, but said in February 2024 that the timeline had shifted to 2027. A topping-out ceremony<\/a> at the site was held in October 2025, and construction has since been progressing \u201con schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n Lego reported that the site\u2019s office, constructed from mass timber, is on track to be topped out later this spring.<\/p>\n The plans to nearly double its workforce by the end of the year wasn\u2019t the only major announcement Thursday. The company also unveiled plans for a solar park at its Chesterfield factory, which will significantly expand the site\u2019s on-site renewable capacity. Lego said the solar project marks a significant milestone towards its ambition to source 100% renewable energy for the facility\u2019s annual needs.<\/p>\n Lego plans to begin construction on the solar park this summer. The project will occupy nearly 80 acres and feature over 30,700 ground-mounted panels with a total capacity of 22 MWp. The company also plans to install 10,080 rooftop solar panels on its buildings, adding 6.11 MWp of capacity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re proud of the progress we continue to make,\u201d Lego Manufacturing<\/a> Virginia General Manager Jesus Iba\u00f1ez said in a statement. \u201cThese initiatives are key to increasing our use of renewable energy and support our ongoing commitment towards more sustainable operations.\u201d<\/p>\n Last month, the company announced it would also continue supporting local communities in the greater Richmond area, committing more than $1.3 million in grants to eight nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n
\nLego is adding a large solar park to move toward 100% renewable energy for the site
\nChesterfield factory construction<\/a> on schedule, with estimated 2027 opening<\/p>\n