HAZLE TWP. — The Hazleton area is getting a new $44 million distribution center that will employ 80 to 90 people who will earn $50,000 to $60,000 a year.
Arcadia Cold Storage and Logistics held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning at 300 Park Road, Humboldt Industrial Park. The 227,500-square-foot distribution center is being built by Blue Rock construction, Allentown, and will sit on a 17-acre lot.
“The Arcadia team is really excited to break ground here in Hazleton,” said Chris Hughes, Arcadia Cold Storage and Logistics president and CEO. “This is absolutely a strategic location for us. Nothing makes us happier than to create jobs in a brand new facility that’s a safe work environment.”
Arcadia Cold Storage is one of three properties in Humboldt purchased by Saxum, a privately held real estate investment and development company based in Summit, New Jersey. The two other lots will have speculative builds of 105,000 and 114,000 square feet, with the goal of attracting tenants during or shortly after construction.
The two other buildings are expected to serve tenants with “dry storage” needs, meaning anything from foods like cereal, rice, pasta, fruits, vegetables or any food that does not need to be refrigerated. The two dry storage facilities may also hold automotive or marine parts.
Approximately 350 construction workers will be needed to develop the three lots, according to Blue Rock Construction.
About 40 people attended the groundbreaking, including local politicians and business leaders.
“I’m really looking forward to working with all of you; congratulations on a very happy occasion,” said state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Twp., whose senatorial district is changing to include the Hazleton area. “I know it takes a lot of work to get to this point.”
Arcadia will have 30,884 “pallet positions,” a metric for how much inventory the distribution center can hold, and the inside temperature will range from minus 10 to 38 degrees. The facility will have convertible rooms, dock space and doors to manage an array of distribution and fulfillment services, Arcadia reports, and it will be suited for food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice companies looking for consolidation opportunities to reduce transportation costs.
Traffic is not expected to grow exponentially upon completion of Arcadia Cold Storage, according to Jocelyn Strenchock, CAN DO director of economic development.
The new distribution center is near Gonella and AutoZone and is expected to be completed in spring 2023.
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