Popular grocery chain Wegmans is planning to build a large distribution center in Virginia as it continues its growth in the region.

Wegmans Food Markets paid $4M for a 221-acre property in Hanover County, where it plans to build a $175M, 1M SF distribution center, according to a release from Coldwell Banker Commercial, which represented the supermarket in the deal.

The vacant land sits at the intersection of Sliding Hill Road and Ashcake Road in Ashland, Virginia, less than 2 miles off of I-95. It is roughly 10 miles north of Richmond, and about 100 miles south of D.C.

The distribution center could help support Wegmans' growing presence in the region. The Rochester, New York-based grocer has 13 locations in Virginia, including a Tysons store that opened in November, and it has additional stores under construction at mixed-use developments in Alexandria and Reston.

Wegmans also has its first D.C. location under construction at Roadside's City Ridge development, and it has a new location planned in Rockville. The grocer has continued to open in more urban-style locations, including a deal signed last month to bring its first store to Manhattan.