$47 million investment to add 20 new positions
COLUMBIA, S.C. - 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. QUOTES "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 our belk.com growth, and we are pleased to be able to invest additional resources in and to bring additional jobs to Union County." -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." -Gov. Nikki Haley "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." -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt "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!" -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's careers 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.