Feld Entertainment, Inc., the company that produces Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Nuclear Cowboyz®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Marvel Universe LIVE! in more than 70 countries and on six continents is making a major investment in Howard County. The company has signed a 10 year lease to relocate and consolidate its national distribution facility for consumer products in the Baltimore Washington Industrial Park in Jessup, MD. Sixty employees will move to the new distribution center from existing facilities in Howard County.
Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year.
“There’s excitement when the circus comes to town, and, in a way, the circus will always be in town in Howard County, and that’s great,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “We are so pleased that Feld Entertainment has decided to continue their tradition of family fun and great live shows with a distribution and warehouse facility located here.”
The 241,457 sq. ft. building, located at 8235 Patuxent Range Road, will consolidate Feld Entertainment’s two operations in Jessup into a 192,000 sq. ft. space that will accommodate long and short-term growth, and provide increased operating efficiency for the company.
“Everyone with Feld Entertainment is excited to partner with Chesapeake Real Estate Group and Atapco Properties to create a state-of-the-art distribution and warehouse facility to meet our company’s national and international consumer products growth,” said Graeme Burman, Feld Entertainment’s Chief Logistics & Merchandising Officer.
Chesapeake Real Estate Group, LLC partnered with Atapco Properties on the $30 million build-to-suit and “spec” development project. The construction project is a re-development of an Owens Corning asphalt shingle manufacturing plant. Together Chesapeake Real Estate Group and Atapco Properties worked to convert a brown field project into a Class A, Cross-dock, state-of- the art modern distribution facility that will be LEED Certified.
Feld Entertainment has also shown their commitment to the State of Maryland by investing $2M in racking and material handling equipment from Werres Corporation in Frederick, MD.
“We are pleased to welcome another first-class company to our project.” said Jim Lighthizer, a Principal with Chesapeake Real Estate Group.
The construction project has created more than 50 new jobs in Howard County. Work on the new facility is expected to be complete in August 2014. Feld plans to begin operations there in November.
“This is great news for Howard County,” said Howard County Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Lawrence F. Twele. “Any state would have been fortunate to land such a major player in the entertainment industry. The fact that Feld chose to remain in Howard Country further demonstrates the county’s ability to meet the needs of growing businesses.”
About HCEDA
The Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, and attracting corporate/regional headquarters. The Authority also maintains several programs aimed at the special needs of small and agricultural businesses. Additionally, the Authority strives to preserve the distinctive quality of life in Howard County. The Authority can be reached at www.hceda.org.
Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 70 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Nuclear Cowboyz®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Marvel Universe LIVE! More information on Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.