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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

PetSmart Invests $50 million On A Distribution Center In Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, Creating Up To 500 Jobs.

07/13/2012
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."

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