Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 25, 2003
Contact: Kirsten Kendrick, Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sharon Wallace, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 360-725-4019
Regional Facility in Washington State in Past Year
LACEY – April 25, 2003 – Gov. Gary Locke today joined Target Corp. in celebrating the grand opening of its regional distribution center in Lacey.
The new 1.5-million-square-foot facility has generated 350 jobs in Washington state. Locked toured the facility today, along with Martha Choe, director of the state’s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED).
“Job creation is one of my top priorities, especially in these tough economic times,” Locke said. “We’re proud that a world-class company like Target has built such a key facility in our state and provided so many quality jobs for our citizens.”
The Target Lacey Import Distribution Center, which opened in March, will receive imports from throughout the Pacific Rim for redistribution throughout the United States.
“Target’s choice of Washington state for their new distribution center demonstrates yet again that this is a great place to do business,” Choe said. “We are proud of Washington’s quality workforce and our strategic global location, and we are proud to welcome the Target Corporation.”
The Economic Development Council of Thurston County has been working with Target since early 1994. The breakthrough with Target came in 1997 when Washington state became more competitive as a result of the Legislature modifying the state sales tax on warehouse construction and eliminating the internal distribution tax.
“Washington has always been a great place to do business, and we’re working hard to make our state even more competitive,” Locke said. “We’ve reduced the B&O tax on businesses, cut red tape and streamlined regulatory processes. And several key pieces of economic development legislation, which I requested, are being passed this session to further improve the business climate. Our efforts are paying off in more family-wage jobs for our citizens.”
“It was an easy decision for us to locate in Washington state, particularly the Puget Sound area,” said Mike Hoyt, vice president of transportation for Target Corp. “We already have great relationships with the ports of Seattle and Tacoma as well as third parties in the area, so this was a natural fit. Washington was our No. 1 choice, without a doubt.”
Target is one of seven national retail chains to open or break ground on a regional facility in Washington state in just over a year. Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., announced last week that it has selected Ridgefield in Clark County to be the site for its new distribution center. In 2002, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., and Vanity Fair also chose Washington over other Northwest states to build their regional distribution centers.
Approximately 1,900 jobs are being created in Washington state as a result of these seven regional facilities.
Dollar Tree’s 665,500-square-foot facility is scheduled to be operational by mid-2004 and generate approximately 315 jobs in Southwest Washington. The Home Depot’s new 756,000-square-foot facility is now open in Lacey, generating approximately 175 new warehouse and trucking jobs in Washington after a $45 million investment. Wal-Mart is building a 900,000-square-foot distribution center in Grandview with an estimated 400 jobs generated from a $40 million investment.
Safeway is constructing a 1.4-million-square-foot distribution center in Auburn, employing 200 people and generating approximately 800 additional construction jobs. Ferguson Enterprises is building a 340,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility in Richland and will employ 80 after an $18.5 million investment. Vanity Fair, a subsidiary of popular backpack manufacturer Jansport, announced a new Everett distribution center in January 2002, generating 170 jobs and $17 million in investment.
Related Links:
- Governor's Office
- Target Corporation
- CTED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 25, 2003
Contact: Kirsten Kendrick, Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sharon Wallace, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 360-725-4019
Gov. Gary Locke Promotes More Jobs for Washington, Celebrates Grand Opening of Target Distribution Center
Company One of Seven National Chains to LocateRegional Facility in Washington State in Past Year
LACEY – April 25, 2003 – Gov. Gary Locke today joined Target Corp. in celebrating the grand opening of its regional distribution center in Lacey.
The new 1.5-million-square-foot facility has generated 350 jobs in Washington state. Locked toured the facility today, along with Martha Choe, director of the state’s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED).
“Job creation is one of my top priorities, especially in these tough economic times,” Locke said. “We’re proud that a world-class company like Target has built such a key facility in our state and provided so many quality jobs for our citizens.”
The Target Lacey Import Distribution Center, which opened in March, will receive imports from throughout the Pacific Rim for redistribution throughout the United States.
“Target’s choice of Washington state for their new distribution center demonstrates yet again that this is a great place to do business,” Choe said. “We are proud of Washington’s quality workforce and our strategic global location, and we are proud to welcome the Target Corporation.”
The Economic Development Council of Thurston County has been working with Target since early 1994. The breakthrough with Target came in 1997 when Washington state became more competitive as a result of the Legislature modifying the state sales tax on warehouse construction and eliminating the internal distribution tax.
“Washington has always been a great place to do business, and we’re working hard to make our state even more competitive,” Locke said. “We’ve reduced the B&O tax on businesses, cut red tape and streamlined regulatory processes. And several key pieces of economic development legislation, which I requested, are being passed this session to further improve the business climate. Our efforts are paying off in more family-wage jobs for our citizens.”
“It was an easy decision for us to locate in Washington state, particularly the Puget Sound area,” said Mike Hoyt, vice president of transportation for Target Corp. “We already have great relationships with the ports of Seattle and Tacoma as well as third parties in the area, so this was a natural fit. Washington was our No. 1 choice, without a doubt.”
Target is one of seven national retail chains to open or break ground on a regional facility in Washington state in just over a year. Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., announced last week that it has selected Ridgefield in Clark County to be the site for its new distribution center. In 2002, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., and Vanity Fair also chose Washington over other Northwest states to build their regional distribution centers.
Approximately 1,900 jobs are being created in Washington state as a result of these seven regional facilities.
Dollar Tree’s 665,500-square-foot facility is scheduled to be operational by mid-2004 and generate approximately 315 jobs in Southwest Washington. The Home Depot’s new 756,000-square-foot facility is now open in Lacey, generating approximately 175 new warehouse and trucking jobs in Washington after a $45 million investment. Wal-Mart is building a 900,000-square-foot distribution center in Grandview with an estimated 400 jobs generated from a $40 million investment.
Safeway is constructing a 1.4-million-square-foot distribution center in Auburn, employing 200 people and generating approximately 800 additional construction jobs. Ferguson Enterprises is building a 340,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility in Richland and will employ 80 after an $18.5 million investment. Vanity Fair, a subsidiary of popular backpack manufacturer Jansport, announced a new Everett distribution center in January 2002, generating 170 jobs and $17 million in investment.
Related Links:
- Governor's Office
- Target Corporation
- CTED
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