DHL, the world’s largest international air express network, is making a $42 million investment in the Lehigh Valley that will result in the creation of 104 new jobs in the next three years and the retention of 19 current jobs.

DHL, with U.S. headquarters in South Florida, is constructing its new East Coast distribution facility in Breinigsville, in the Lehigh County. The company officially broke ground on the new 350,000 square foot, fully automated facility, which will be a prototype for future buildings.

The new facility will serve as DHL’s main distribution center for business and consumers across the Eastern Seaboard. The total cost of the project will be at least $42 million.

Members of the Governor’s Action Team (GAT), economic-development professionals who report directly to Governor Rendell, worked with DHL on its expansion project. DCED has offered the company a $10.5 million financial package that includes: a $100,000 Opportunity Grant; $100,000 in Job Training Assistance; $312,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits; and up to $10 million in taxable bonds through the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (PEDFA).

The Governor’s Action Team works with domestic and international businesses, as well as professional site consultants, on projects involving significant investment and job creation opportunities.

Established in 1969, DHL is the world’s largest international air express network with service to 120,000 destinations in more than 220 countries and territories. The company has approximately 4,400 offices worldwide with more than 170,000 employees.