Stobart to build $436 million transport, warehouse center

Stobart to build $436 million transport, warehouse center United Kingdom-based transportation and logistics firm Eddie Stobart said it plans to invest $436 million in a new transportation and warehousing center in Merseyside that may create upwards of 3,000 jobs, according to Stobart officials.
   The new 24-acre center is one of a series of such facilities included in Stobart's five-year plan. The plan also calls for the construction of an inland container port at Widnes and a new maritime shipping facility over the River Mersey at Runcorn.
   According to Stobart officials, talks are under way with potential operators of the transportation and warehouse centers.
   Ben Whawell, Stobart chief financial officer, said the first center would be ready by October 2009 and that the full 200-acre site surrounding the soon-to-be-built center is potentially able to handle much more.
   The firm is hopeful that the completion of the first center will attract more tenants to the full site.
   Stobart is also investing nearly $47 million to turn a 44-acre site at nearby Weston Port into a shipping hub.