Company to open distribution center on Stark County Farm property
Fast-growing Tractor Supply Co., the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., plans to open a distribution center in the village of Navarre to help expand its retail presence. The company, which operates roughly 1,900 stores in 49 states, is investing nearly $70 million in the operation and is expected to bring 375 new jobs to the region.
Tractor Supply chose Navarre as its distribution center despite aggressive competition from other states. A collaboration of economic development partners including the village of Navarre, the Stark Board of Trade, the Stark Economic Development Board, Team NEO, the Ohio Development Services Agency and JobsOhio introduced executive decision-makers to Northeast Ohio’s many strengths, including easy access to workforce talent, the region’s passion for the rural lifestyle that Tractor Supply supports and exceptional transportation and logistics efficiencies.
“Tractor Supply is excited to begin work on our ninth distribution center, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the Navarre community,” said Hal Lawton, Tractor Supply’s president and chief executive officer. “In support of our Life Out Here Strategy, this new distribution center is a significant investment to help serve our growing store base and online sales as we build a strong, relevant company for the future. We appreciate the support of the many state and local officials who have worked extensively to establish a business climate in which everyone can prosper.”
Tractor Supply plans to build an 890,000-square-foot facility in Navarre. It will be the second project built on the former 327-acre Stark County Farm property, managed by the Stark Board of Trade since 2016, when local foundations pooled their resources to purchase the property. Their intentions of developing a Class A industrial park began to come to fruition when Hendrickson USA, a global manufacturer of air suspension systems and components for heavy-duty trucks and trailers, located there in 2019.
Daniel DeHoff, president of The DeHoff Development Company, which is developing the Stark County Farm on behalf of the Stark Board of Trade, stated “ On behalf of the six foundations who invested in the development of this Industrial Park, we welcome Tractor Supply as our newest industry. We look forward to bringing more great companies and great paying jobs to Stark County. Each new industry helps these foundations realize their respective Mission-Related Investment which multiplies their philanthropic impact in the communities they serve – and that’s great news for everyone.“
“Speaking on behalf of the citizens of Navarre, I could not be happier that Tractor Supply chose to build and create jobs in our village,” said Navarre Mayor Bob Benson. “We have been working on building our industrial park for 30 years; for Tractor Supply to bring its 80+-year legacy to our community means the world to us. We have been focused on driving economic growth here, and today, the future of our economy is looking bright.”
Ray Hexamer, president of the Stark Economic Development Board, further noted, “We are excited Tractor Supply is making such a significant investment in Stark County. We look forward to working with them to ensure their continued success. This project is part of a record year for new job creation and capital investment in Stark County, which is a reflection of the great collaboration among all of our partners.”
On behalf of the broader region, Bill Koehler, CEO of Team NEO, added, “Northeast Ohio is well-positioned to offer Tractor Supply Co. the resources they need to thrive. Congratulations to our Stark County partners who successfully highlighted the value of placing Tractor Supply Co.’s distribution and logistics investment here. Along with JobsOhio and our local partners, we welcome Tractor Supply’s expansion — and commend them on the addition of 375 jobs.”
About Tractor Supply Company
Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has been passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle, for more than 80 years. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle. With more than 40,000 Team Members, the Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday low prices they deserve. At September 26, 2020, the Company operated 1,904 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com.
Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At September 26, 2020, the Company operated 183 Petsense stores in 25 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.Petsense.com.
To stay up to date on all things for Life Out Here, follow Tractor Supply on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Stark Economic Development Board
The Stark Economic Development Board is a private, non-profit organization formed by business and community leaders in May of 1985 to help businesses grow and expand in Stark County. The mission of the Stark Economic Development Board is to strengthen Stark County by driving business growth and leading its economic transformation. For more information, visit www.starkcoohio.com.
About Stark Board of Trade
Stark Board of Trade is a unique collaboration of six local foundations aimed at bringing more jobs and investment to Stark County. The Stark Community Foundation, The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Massillon Development Foundation, Hoover Foundation, Gessner Family Foundation and The DeHoff Family Foundation, formed the Stark Board of Trade in 2016 to drive economic growth and raise the standard of living for all residents. For more details about this impactful mission-related investment, please visit Case Study: Stark Farms.
About Team NEO
Team NEO is a private, nonprofit economic development organization accelerating business growth and job creation throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Ohio. As the designated JobsOhio Network Partner, we align and amplify local economic development efforts in Northeast Ohio’s 18-county region; we conduct research and data analysis to inform local conversations and influence solutions; we market Northeast Ohio as a region; and we work to increase access to jobs, education and training for the region’s 4.3 million people. For more information, visit teamneo.org.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.