Department Store Chain to Create 600 Jobs in the Shenandoah Valley
Frederick County - Governor George Allen today joined company and local officials in a grand opening ceremony for Kohl's Corporation's new distribution center in the northern Shenandoah Valley. The Frederick County facility, covering 353,000 square feet, will create 600 new jobs over the next four years. In April 1996, Governor Allen approved a $275,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Frederick County with site preparation. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland and West Virginia for the $20 million investment.
"Kohl's dynamic and energetic growth has garnered a reputation as a fiercely competitive industry leader and as a good corporate citizen," said Governor Allen. "And this new facility -- complete with advanced inventory control methods and its own printing operation -- further underscores their commitment to the success of this project." The Governor also authorized the Virginia Department of Business Assistance to provide workforce training services to "improve the skills of the new employees to help Kohl's and its team succeed together from day one."
Kohl's Corporation, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is a family-focused department store which offers brand name apparel and housewares. The company currently operates 150 stores nationwide with total sales surpassing $1.9 billion. Kohl's new distribution center in Frederick County is a prototype design which incorporates a number of advanced inventory control methods.
Governor Allen presented a Virginia flag and a historic share of stock in the Virginia Company to Kohl's officials as a token of the Commonwealth's appreciation for their major investment in Virginia. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Winchester/Frederick County Economic Development Commission assisted the company with its decision.
# # #