FedEx shows off new site
JACKSON TWP — Local officials got a first glimpse of the long-awaited FedEx distribution center.
Officials on the state, county and township levels were at the new Fed-Ex distribution center on Tomlinson Drive for the grand opening and tour Wednesday.
“We are confident we will be able to create opportunities and it is our expectation that the local community is willing to go along with us,” said Henry Maier, FedEx Ground president and chief executive officer.
The 305,000-square-foot center has been planned for about three years. It began a phased opening in early August.
The center takes in packages from pickup and delivery stations and sorts them for delivery.
It employs about 400 people, according to a news release. Previous reports said about 230 people would be employed there.
The company has a 15-year lease with Sippel Development, which owns the land.
“As a growing company, we need people from right here in the community to help us continue that trend,” Maier said. “As a service company, we understand our success depends on the strength and dedication of our people.”
State Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, and state Rep. Jim Marshall, R-14th, said they credit state money used for infrastructure improvements in the area.
“It’s very rewarding for this region to see economic development,” Marshall said. “It’s so important for the state and local governments to come together to improve infrastructure, not only for safer highways but also for economic development.”
“I’m glad to finally have it,” Vogel said. “It’s job friendly.”
The construction of the center along with other developments in the area led to the installation of a new intersection on Route 528, aligning Tomlinson Drive with Jo Deener Drive with traffic lights.
“We’re thankful for FedEx’s choice of location and the investment to turn 60 acres of largely unused property into a 300,000-plus-square-foot opportunity for the county,” township supervisor Allan Osterwise said. “The development triggered the consortium of the state and township to fix the dangerous intersection between Jo Deener Drive and Route 528.”
Osterwise also thanked FedEx for extending a public water line last year to the Hartzell/Gristmill Neighborhood Improvement District project.
Maier also presented a $5 million check to the Carnegie Science Center’s “SPARK!” campaign on behalf of FedEx.
The distribution center is part of the company’s nationwide network expansion plan that includes 560 distribution hubs and local pickup-and-delivery stations around the country.
Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche said she and the other commissioners are “excited, proud and honored” of the company’s decision to expand to the county.
“We know the real work begins today for the county and this region to build a long-standing partnership with companies like FedEx to enhance the growth and operations of businesses,” Osche said.
Other developments are also planned for that immediate area.
A 42-acre development headed by Zelienople-based Plunkett Motor Freight Rentals was recently approved by the supervisors.
That development will be bordered by FedEx, Route 528 and I-79 and is planned to have a hotel, restaurant, convenience store and a flexible-use building.
