Governor Tom Corbett announced that American Eagle Outfitters will invest more than $160 million to construct a new direct-to-consumer distribution center that is expected to result in 369 new jobs coming to Luzerne County.
“Supporting Pennsylvania business and giving them the tools they need to succeed in creating new job opportunities is a priority of my administration,” Corbett said. “Because of that support and partnership, American Eagle Outfitters is injecting a big boost into the Northeast Pennsylvania economy and creating 369 new jobs.”
American Eagle Outfitters is planning to construct a new, one million-square foot, direct-to-consumer distribution center on a 120-acre site at Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazleton Township. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment in excess of $160 million in real estate, construction, equipment and storm water infrastructure related costs. The new distribution center is projected to create 369 new jobs, construction jobs and an additional 600 part-time jobs during peak seasons, in the next four years.
"Due to the growth of American Eagle Outfitters, we are delighted to launch this new distribution center that will bring additional jobs to the Pennsylvania community,” American Eagle Outfitters CEO Robert Hanson said. “We are pleased that AEO will have a greater presence in the commonwealth given that our headquarters and Warrendale distribution center are located in Western Pennsylvania. We look forward to working with the state of Pennsylvania to build this new facility.”
The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a $400,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant and $166,050 Guaranteed Free Training grant which will be used for training its new workforce at the project site. The project is located in an existing Keystone Opportunity Zone which expires in 2019.
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, or GAT, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the CAN DO Inc., a private, non-profit industrial/economic development corporation serving the Greater Hazleton area.
“American Eagle Outfitters’ decision to locate its newest distribution center in Humboldt Industrial Park is further testament to what many other companies located there already know: Greater Hazleton is a perfect location for industry, not only because of its ideal location in the Northeast, but also for its dedicated quality workforce,” Kevin O’Donnell, CAN DO’s president said. “When the new American Eagle building is completed, it will be the largest industrial building in any of our four parks.”
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle Outfitters® and Aerie® brands. The company operates more than 1,000 stores in North America, and ships to 77 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie merchandise also is available at approximately 50 international franchise stores in 13 countries.
For more information on the Governor’s Action Team and other economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, visit newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.