Sysco Foods building new state-of-the-art Florida facility
Sysco's New Distribution Center in Plant City: Meeting Growth Demands and Balancing Community Concerns
Plant City, Florida - On a scorching June afternoon earlier this month, a notable gathering of public officials, corporate leaders, and developers took place in Plant City, marking the groundbreaking ceremony for Sysco's new state-of-the-art distribution center. The ambitious project aims to alleviate the pressure on other Florida centers while positioning Sysco for future growth. However, the development comes with its own set of challenges, as city leaders strive to strike a balance between accommodating explosive growth and addressing the concerns of long-time residents resistant to change.
Houston-based food and kitchen distributor Sysco is investing in a cutting-edge 504,000-square-foot distribution center in Plant City, which is anticipated to create around 200 jobs with an average annual salary of $82,500. The facility will serve as a cold storage food-service distribution center, featuring a two-story office space, truck parking, and a vehicle maintenance facility. The construction site, located at the Southern Oaks Business Park on 475 Charlie Taylor Road, was chosen strategically to cater to Central and West Florida while preparing for the increased demand resulting from the state's population spike.
Jane Grout, Sysco's president for the North Florida region, expressed that the primary objective of this center is to relieve the strain on existing facilities and meet the surge in demand driven by Florida's population growth. The jobs created by the distribution center will cover various roles such as operations, transportation, warehouse management, and sales.
While Grout declined to disclose the specific investment details and incentives received for the facility, Plant City officials have been more forthcoming. During a Plant City Commission meeting on March 13, it was revealed that the project represents an investment of at least $65 million in building and equipment improvements alone. As part of a tax exemption package, the commission unanimously approved a 50% credit on the assessed value of new qualifying improvements and a 50% credit on qualifying new tangible personal property for seven years, starting from January 1, 2026. The estimated cost to the city in terms of revenue is $197,909, but it is important to note that the city expects to gain the same amount in new revenue for the first seven years, followed by the entire amount thereafter.
Steve Morey, president and CEO of the Plant City Economic Development Council, emphasized the strict requirements for companies like Sysco to qualify for such incentives. These requirements include creating a minimum of 50 jobs with an annual wage surpassing 115% of Plant City's annual private sector wage, and total capital investments of at least $20 million. Morey assured the commissioners that Sysco's project exceeds these requirements by a significant margin.
Nevertheless, concerns were voiced by some residents during the hearing. With Plant City experiencing rapid growth and becoming a regional business hub, the increased traffic from trucks and the overall congestion became points of contention. One resident spoke out about feeling "trapped in" due to the ongoing development. Mayor Nathan Kilton acknowledges the challenge of balancing growth and the concerns of long-time residents, stating, "We have a lot of empathy for people that are concerned about the growth and the growing pains...yes, we need to try to accommodate that growth. But in a reasonable manner."
With the ceremonial shovels turned, construction is slated to commence early next year, with the distribution center expected to be operational by early 2025. Sysco, a globally recognized food and kitchen equipment distributor, generated $68 billion in sales during fiscal year 2022. The company currently operates 333 distribution facilities worldwide and employs 71,000 individuals, serving approximately 700,000 locations. Locally, Sysco West Florida is based in Manatee County, catering to Pasco, Hills
borough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. The upcoming distribution center in Plant City will be named Sysco Tampa Bay.
Sysco's ambitious investment in Plant City signifies a step forward for the region's economic development and infrastructure. While growth brings its own set of challenges, the city's leaders are dedicated to finding a balance that ensures progress while respecting the concerns of long-time residents. As construction begins in earnest, Sysco's new distribution center holds the promise of bolstering Florida's food-service industry and meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding population.
