Governor Rendell Says BMW to Construct First Pennsylvania Distribution Center

Company Will Create at Least 118 Jobs with $65 Million Project

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that automobile and motorcycle manufacturer BMW of North America LLC has chosen Northampton County for a new, 870,000-square-foot distribution center.

The Governor said BMW will create at least 118 new jobs in Lower Nazareth within the next three years as part of its U.S. expansion plans.

"This is another major global company that has chosen Pennsylvania to grow its business," Governor Rendell said. "Having an internationally known company like BMW build this new facility here speaks volumes about the state's competitive business environment. It sends a strong message to other companies that Pennsylvania is the place to do business.

"The new jobs will pay wages that are higher than the industry average, which is exciting news. And, the project will also help to further strengthen the economy in Northampton County - which has watched unemployment drop 1.2 percent since I first took office in January 2003. There were 10,500 more people working in the county in August than four years ago.

BMW's new distribution center, which can be expanded up to 1.4 million square feet, will be located at ProLogis Park 33. The facility will serve as the company's northeast U.S. distribution center for automotive and motorcycle spare parts upon completion in December 2008.

"We make great efforts to support sustainable business development in all that we do," said Alan Harris, BMW of North America's vice president of aftersales. "That is why we are very proud that this new distribution center in Lower Nazareth will incorporate state-of-the-art, energy efficient and environmentally friendly features and technologies."

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team - economic development professionals who work with domestic and international businesses and professional site consultants on projects that represent significant investment and job creation opportunities.

The team helped BMW secure a funding offer of more than $500,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development.

BMW of North America LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI, and Rolls-Royce; industrial design firm DesignworksUSA; and various other operations throughout the country. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW sports activity vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers and 30 Rolls-Royce dealers. To learn more about BMW, visit http://www.bmwusa.com/.

For information on the Governor's Action Team and other DCED programs, visit http://www.newpa.com/ or call 1-866-466-3972.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us.