Sears, the nation's third largest retailer-will establish a new distribution center in Covington Industrial Park that will add 200 jobs and inject $6.2 million into the region's economy.
Sears will lease a 1-million-square-foot, build-to-suit distribution facility from First Industrial Realty Trust, which will support its stores in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The company expects to be fully operational by this fall.
“We are very excited about this new facility, which will serve as a vital link in ensuring that merchandise arrives at our stores and to our customers in an efficient and effective fashion,” said Aylwin Lewis, president and CEO of Sears Holdings Corporation. “We'd like to thank Governor Rendell, the Governor's Action Team, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and the Department of Community and Economic Development for their commitment to this project and for their partnership.”
Governor Rendell said the state's competitive business environment and willingness to make investments that attract business growth are two reasons the company chose Pennsylvania over other states.
“We're creating new opportunities for our hardworking men and women by putting our resources to work,” said Governor Rendell. “We've made critical investments in our communities, companies and people that are attracting private sector financing. The result is more businesses are choosing to grow and expand in the commonwealth.
The 200 positions to be added over the next three years are on top of the 20,000 Pennsylvanians already employed by the company. A significant number of truck driving positions will be created indirectly to support operations at the new distribution facility.
The Scranton Plan and the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), the economic development arms of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, working together with First Industrial Realty Trust has marketed Covington Industrial Park as the premier location for distribution facilities in the Northeast U.S. “Working with a top-notch developer like First Industrial, combined with the participation of state and local officials, the parks proximity to major interstates and the KOEZ designation makes Covington Industrial Park and attractive location for employers,” stated Austin J. Burke, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “This project serves as testament of what can be accomplished when all levels of government and private industry work together.”
Mr. Burke gave special thanks to Governor Edward Rendell, Senator Robert Mellow, Governor's Action Team representative John Buchheit, Representative Ken Smith, Lackawanna County Commissioners, Covington Township, North Pocono School District and First Industrial Realty Trust representatives.
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's third largest broadline retailer, with approximately $55 billion in annual revenues, and with approximately 3,800 full-line and specialty retail stores in the U.S. and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. To learn more, visit Sears Holdings' Web site at www.searsholdings.com.
