American retail giant Target is building an enormous distribution centre in Balzacís High Plains development.
The warehouse, one of three planned for Canada, is already under construction and will be completed before the spring of 2013.
ìThe centre will be approximately 1.3 million square feet and will sit on 80 acres,î said Molly Snyder, Target spokesperson. ìTarget has selected sites for its distribution centres that will help to ensure that our supply chain needs are met for our Canadian stores.î
Snyder said Eleven Points Logistics will manage the centre, doing all the recruitment and hiring.
Target intends to open 125 to 135 stores in Canada, the first of which will open in Ontario in March or early April of 2013, according to Snyder.
Six of those stores will open in Calgary and the warehouse will supply those along with the more than 30 retail centres for Western Canada.
County Reeve Rolly Ashdown said Rocky View considers the warehouse one of the anchor tenants of the area.
ìI am extremely pleased that Target is coming to our area of the world, because they are an international company,î said Ashdown. ìIt fits Rocky Viewís thoughts of diversifying the tax base.î
Ashdown said the announcement proves Rocky View is attractive to businesses considering relocation.
ìIt is well locatedÖ and is considered a good regional growth area,î he said.
ìRocky View is reasonably nimble and able to accommodate large companies. We have all the transportation facilities that are available.î
Dave Kalinchuk, Rocky Viewís economic development manager, said the announcement is groundbreaking.
ìIt is huge, huge news for Rocky View and the Calgary region, it is yet one more monumental change,î said Kalinchuk. ìIt is very complimentary to Rocky View and to the economic success of Rocky View.î
The centre will supply a significant amount of employment to the region, added Kalinchuk.
Kalinchuk said Targetís announcement is generating a lot of interest from other companies.
ìThere is even more to come, which is very exciting,î said Kalinchuk. ì2012 will be a great year for the County.î
