UPS recently announced an expansion of its package hub in Fort

Wayne, Indiana. The expansion will increase the size of the existing 58,875 square foot building at 2727 Independence Drive by 17,500 square feet to accommodate new machinery and equipment, and expand the parking area within the existing site.

The project is scheduled to start in the spring of 2008 and will be completed in mid-2009. Twenty-five new package handler positions will be added to the current workforce of 333 employees by the time the expansion is completed.

“This expansion is certainly good news for UPS and for Fort Wayne,” said Vice President and District Manager Bob Severson. “In its 100th year, UPS today stands as a critical pipeline for global economic activity.”

In addition to a building addition, the expansion will add package sorting and conveying equipment that will increase the package handling capacity of the Fort Wayne hub facility by more than 75 percent. IT equipment will be installed to control the sorting and conveyor equipment and provide wireless connection to a centralized reporting system.

The State of Indiana, through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), and the city of Fort Wayne, through the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, are working together to provide a performance-based package that will help UPS maximize its expansion project. Potential local incentives could include tax abatement worth $848,099 over 10 years on building improvements and equipment purchases of $11 million, and a $150,000 grant in CEDIT funds for eligible investment in the project. State incentives could include up to $134,000 in training grants for new and current Indiana resident employees and tax credits of up to $100,000 over nine years for qualified capital investments related to the expansion project.

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

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