FedEx breaks ground on Lehigh Valley megahub

The 800,000-square-foot FedEx Ground distribution center in Allen Township, Pa. is expected to create 680 jobs when it opens in late 2018, according to a statement from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.    FedEx Ground recently broke ground on construction of a new distribution center and related structures in Allen Township, Pa., Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement.
   The parcel carrier purchased 253 acres in Northampton County to build the 800,000-square-foot facility as part of a new Mid-Atlantic hub in the Lehigh Valley. FedEx Ground will invest more than $227.5 million in the project, according to Wolf.
   Scheduled to open in late 2018, the distribution center is expected to create 282 new full-time jobs and 398 permanent part-time positions over the next three years.
   FedEx Ground received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $1.13 million Pennsylvania First Program grant, $846,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and $126,900 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training.
   The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to Wolf and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania in collaboration with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation awarded FedEx Ground $5 million from the Governor’s Infrastructure Fund to improve state-owned roadways near the facility.
   “This project is a huge win for Pennsylvania,” Governor Wolf said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “The FedEx Ground terminal will become the company’s largest warehouse and logistics hub among the 34 it operates nationwide. The fact that FedEx chose Pennsylvania over two other states to expand, is a testament not only to the commonwealth’s business-friendly atmosphere, but also our strong local workforce.”