Rendell Administration Welcomes 500 New Jobs to Pennsylvania

Advance Auto Parts Plans to Open Northeast Distribution Center in Lehigh County

NEW SMITHVILLE, Pa., May 28 -- On behalf of Governor Edward G. Rendell, David Yeager, Director of the Governor's Action Team, today announced that 500 jobs will be created in Lehigh County with the opening of Advance Auto Parts' first and only northeast distribution center in the spring of 2005. The company plans to purchase and expand an existing 500,000 square-foot facility in the Arcadia West Industrial Park in Smithville, Weisenberg Township.

"The fact that Advance Auto Parts chose New Smithville as the site of its northeast distribution center speaks volumes about the Commonwealth's business-friendly environment and our talented workforce," Yeager said. "We welcome Advance Auto Parts to Pennsylvania and the 500 jobs the company will bring to Lehigh County."

The Governor's Action Team, economic-development professionals who report directly to Governor Rendell, worked with Advance Auto Parts to bring the new distribution center to Pennsylvania. The Department of Community and Economic Development has agreed to provide a financial package totaling $3.225 million that includes $1.5 million in Job Creation Tax Credits; $225,000 in Customized Job Training; $500,000 from the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund; and a $1 million Opportunity Grant.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, Advance Auto Parts is one of the nation's leading retailers of automotive parts and accessories. The new distribution center, which will be expanded to 650,000 square feet, will be an important part of Advance Auto's comprehensive distribution network. The 500 new positions available at the facility will include drivers, dispatchers, material handlers, supervisors and managers.

"This distribution center is ideally located to serve our growing base of stores in the Northeast," said Larry Castellani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Advance Auto Parts. "Although the location played a key role in our decision, the deciding factor was the people of this community. We look forward to offering career opportunities to 500 of them as we ramp-up this world-class facility."

The company, which began in 1932 as a small chain of home and auto supply stores in Virginia, now operates more than 2,500 stores in 39 states.

The total cost of this project, including the DCED funds, is $50 million. For information on DCED funding, visit http://www.inventpa.com/. For information on Governor Rendell's economic- stimulus program, visit http://www.newpa.com/.

For information about Advance Auto Parts, visit http://www.advanceautoparts.com/.

   COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
   Department of Community and Economic Development
   Commonwealth News Bureau
   Room 104, North Office Building
   Harrisburg, PA  17120

   CONTACT: Kevin Ortiz
   (717) 783-1132