Schneider receives incentive package to locate in Illinois

Schneider receives incentive package to locate in Illinois    The state of Illinois has given Schneider National, the nation’s largest truckload company, about $7 million in tax credits and other benefits as an incentive for locating a new driver operating center and creating jobs in the state, Gov. Rod Blagovejich announced in conjunction with an opening ceremony for the new facility in Edwardsville.
   The new facility is essentially a company-owned truck stop where drivers can rest and relax in a secure environment while on the road. Driver amenities include showers, laundry service, a lounge, free wireless Internet service, truck fueling and maintenance. Drivers are also managed from the operating centers, which also have space for training and recruiting.
   Schneider, Green Bay, Wisc., has 17 other rest areas around the country. They are located in high volume crossroads or metropolitan areas. Edwardsville is located near St. Louis, where Schneider is increasing its capacity because of its growing concentration of customers in the area.
   The motor carrier will hold a job fair at the operating center on Saturday in an effort to hire 300 new drivers, maintenance technicians and facility managers. Another 140 jobs will be created in the area by assigning drivers from other operating centers to the Edwardsville facility, spokeswoman Janet Bonkowski said. Schneider is currently servicing the St. Louis market with about 150 drivers, she said.
   The state will provide Schneider tax credits over a 10-year period based on reaching goals for new jobs, job training funds, an infrastructure grant and sales tax exemption worth a total of about $7 million, the company said in a statement.