More jobs are coming to Southwest Missouri as a local business expands its facility in Springfield. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky has more…
Performance Food Group (PFG) plans to expand its 80,000 square foot PERFORMANCE Foodservice-Roma distribution facility, located near Chestnut Expressway and I-44.The expansion will add 35,000 square feet to the current facility.PFG is a distribution and logistics service for restaurants in nine states.Rob Dixon, manager of business development at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, says the project is important for three reasons.For one, the expansion will result in 50 new jobs over five years, which will pay above the Greene County average salary of $33,924 and will include a comprehensive benefits package.For another, the company is investing $5.2 million back into the community by expanding, which Dixon says shows their commitment to Springfield.And he says the project indicates that Springfield is a good place to grow a business...
"I think it shows that Springfield has some really strategic strengths and advantages in thesupply chain, distribution, management and the logistics field, and I think it's because we have great transportation infrastructure, our central location in the United States means that companies can get their goods to market quicker, cheaper and easier than if they ship them from another location in the country. All those things, I think, really help to reduce the cost of goods for both companies and for consumers."
According to Dixon, the expansion shows that Springfield is not only a place that’s willing to attract new businesses, but it’s also a place that wants to help existing businesses succeed and grow.He says the project is a sign that the economy is recovering…
"The good news that we're hearing today at Roma of Springfield is similar to what we're hearing from a lot of other companies. We're seeing companies that, over the last couple of years, have, you know, it's been tough for companies, it's been tough for families, but we're starting to see things thaw out a little bit, and I think this is a perfect example of that."
Dixon credits the partnership of the economic development entities in the area including the City of Springfield, Greene County, City Utilities, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Business Development Corporation for helping businesses like PFG succeed in the area.For KSMU News, I’m Michele Skalicky.
