Family Dollar Stores Inc., one of the fastest growing discount store chains in the U.S., is locating its new, northeast regional distribution center in Rome, N.Y. It plans to invest approximately $60 million and create 465 new jobs at the new facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in late spring.
During the past 10 years, the company has added more than 3,000 new stores— over 2,000 in the past five years. It now operates 5,567 stores in 44 states. The company grew 6.1 percent in 2004, pulling in earnings of $262.7 million. Family Dollar is known for offering low cost, basic merchandise for family and home needs. It currently supplies the northeast from its Virginia distribution center.
Charles S. Gibson Jr., Family Dollar's executive vice president, supply chain, says, "We reviewed many potential sites for our northeastern regional distribution center and based on the people, the infrastructure, the incentives and the compelling case the state and local economic development agencies made for this area, we believe that this community will be the right fit for us."
Family Dollar is buying a nearly 87-acre site in a business park that is being developed on a former U.S. Air Force base. The company's building will cover nearly 21 acres.
Because Family Dollar is investing in New York, it is eligible to apply for a $1.2 million Empire State Development capital grant along with other State and local incentives. The company may also be eligible for county and local incentives valued at $10.2 million.
