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Publix to Build Distribution Center in Orlando  The Lakeland based grocery chain plans to invest $188.5 million in building a one-million square foot refrigerated distribution center near Orlando International Airport. Publix says it aims to have the center operational by the last quarter of 2014. About 3.8 million dollars in state and city incentives are approved for the refrigerated warehouse, including an Economic Development Transportation Fund grant of nearly $1.1 million to extend Hazeltine National Drive near the site, and performance based tax rebates. Some of the incentives depend on whether Publix follows through on plans to create 156 new jobs at the center during its first three years of operation. Rick Weddle, the chief executive of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, says the project is a good deal for Orlando. "It is positive on the job creation front, it is also very positive as a capital investment which leads to tax base," he says. “It all seems to be reasonable and proper when I look at it, the 30 years I’ve been in this business, a project of this size and scale, it would not be uncommon in some locations to see even a larger incentives package." Enterprise Florida Inc, the state's economic development organization, says building the distribution center will also retain 125 jobs in the state. |
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