Belk Inc. to Expand Union County E-Commerce Distribution Center
July 9, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – Department store retailer Belk, Inc. is expanding its Union County e-commerce distribution and fulfillment center operations for the second time since establishing there in mid-June 2012. The $47 million investment will expand the facility footprint by 50 percent and add 20 new jobs, which will grow the company’s Jonesville presence to 314 employees.
The expansion, which is expected to be completed in January 2015, will add more than 345,000 square feet of newly constructed space to the 515,000-square-foot building. The Jonesville facility, located at 3805 Furman L. Fendley Highway, was recently acquired by CPA®:18 – Global, a non-traded REIT affiliate of global real estate investment trust W.P. Carey Inc. and is being leased to Belk. Belk and CPA®:18 – Global will invest a collective $47 million, which includes funding for construction and to upfit the facility with equipment such as conveyor systems, racking and automation.
Belk announced in December its intention to hire an additional 170 personnel by the end of 2015, and this expansion grows those expectations to add another 20 jobs. Those interested in employment opportunities with the company may visit Belk’s careers page and search for positions in Jonesville, S.C.
Founded more than 125 years ago, today Belk is the nation’s largest family-owned-and-operated department store company, with 299 stores in 16 states offering Belk’s signature “Modern. Southern. Style.” The company is based in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit www.belk.com.
“Belk’s e-commerce business continues to grow, and with it the demand for increased distribution and fulfillment operations. Our Jonesville facility has been a key factor in ourbelk.com growth, and we are pleased to be able to invest additional resources in and to bring additional jobs to Union County,” said John R. Belk, president and COO of Belk, Inc.
“It’s a great day in South Carolina as we celebrate Belk’s decision to expand their Union County facility for the second time since 2012. We applaud them for bringing a combined investment of $47 million and creating 20 new jobs,” said Govenor Nikki Haley.
Secretary of Commerce, Bobby Hitt, says, “Belk first came to South Carolina because it is great location for retailers that need to rapidly get product to markets. This next expansion further proves that South Carolina has the business climate and logistics capabilities companies are looking for.”
“This expansion represents more jobs for our citizens, more tax base for government services and schools, and shows continued confidence in the future Union County. I commented at Belk’s initial opening that it fit like a good pair of shoes. Now, with a 345,000 square foot addition to the existing building, $47,000,000 in new investment for a total of $93,000,000, it is more like a new suit. On behalf of our community and citizens, thank you Belk!” says Thomas L. Sinclair, Union County supervisor and council chairman.
Five Fast Facts:
- Belk Inc. is expanding its Union County e-commerce distribution and fulfillment center operations for the second time since establishing there in mid-June 2012.
- $47 million investment will expand the facility footprint by 50 percent and add 20 new jobs.
- Building construction expected to be completed in January 2015.
- CPA®:18 – Global acquired the Jonesville facility and is leasing it to Belk.
- Those interested in employment opportunities with the company may visit Belk’scareers page.
About Belk, Inc.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the nation’s largest family owned and operated department store company with 299 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states and a growing digital presence. Its belk.com website offers a wide assortment of national brands and private label fashion apparel, shoes and accessories for the entire family along with top name cosmetics, a wedding registry and a large selection of quality merchandise for the home. Founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., the company is in the third generation of Belk family leadership and has been committed to community involvement since its inception. In the fiscal year ended Feb. 1, 2014, the company and its associates, customers and vendors donated more than $20.9 million to communities within Belk market areas.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. South Carolina ranked first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For more information, visitwww.SCcommerce.com.
