PetSmart Inc., a national pet retailer with more than 1,200 stores, will locate its new distribution center in Bethel Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, with plans to create at least 500 jobs.
"As governor, it is my priority to bring economic prosperity back to Pennsylvania by
growing private sector jobs," Tom Corbett said. "Bringing projects like PetSmart's
distribution center to our state is adding jobs and having a positive economic
impact on local communities."
PetSmart will construct an 870,000-square-foot distribution center in Berks Park
78, a new industrial park located in Bethel Township, in the southeast part of the Keystone State. The company will start construction on the $50 million distribution center this fall, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2014. The project is expected to create at least 500 new jobs by 2016.
As part of a package of incentives, company received a $2.3 million in funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development, including a $1 million PA First grant, $245,250 in job training assistance and $1.09 million in Job Creation Tax Credits.
"Bethel presented itself as an ideal location for our new distribution center, and we
are excited to become an active part of this community," PetSmart Senior Vice
President of Supply Chain Eddie Burt said. "The construction of this new facility and
the jobs it's creating is just the beginning of our vibrant partnership with the town
of Bethel."
The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, a group of economic
development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering
locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. The Governor's Action Team worked with the
Berks County Industrial Development Authority to bring PetSmart's new distribution
facility to Pennsylvania.
"We are doubly blessed to have another wonderful company like PetSmart coming
to Berks Park 78," Berks County Industrial Development Authority Executive
Director Thomas McKeon said. "What a terrific addition they make to our
community's resume. Once again credit goes to our winning team of professionals
and local public officials. They've made Berks Park 78 fertile ground for the private
investment, jobs and the economic prosperity we all desire."