News
Lenovo Announces First U.S. Assembly & Distribution Facility
(Greensboro, NC June 22, 2007)Lenovo, the world’s third-largest computer manufacturer, is coming
to Rock Creek Center.
The company surprised Guilford County commissioners during their
regular Thursday meeting by simultaneously withdrawing its $154,000
tax incentive request and announcing plans to build a $10.5 million
facility at Rock Creek Center. The company will bring 47 new jobs
to Guilford County, earning an average of $37,500. The third-party
logistics company that will co-locate with Lenovo will bring an additional
85 new jobs.
Those figures could just be the beginning in a center that will serve
the East Coast, said Bill Owens, Lenovo’s vice president of service
and support. The number of Lenovo employees could reach as many as
125, with a good chance that other suppliers will want to locate
nearby, he said. Lenovo calls the future Rock Creek facility its
fulfillment center, supplying product configuration, distribution
and light assembly to American customers.
The company chose the Rock Creek site over several others in the
state and southeast. Proximity to both Interstates 85 and 40 and
its corporate headquarters in Raleigh made the decision a clear one,
Owens said. Also, the fact that the Rock Creek developers are currently
constructing a 272,000 square foot speculative building next to the
Lenovo site, offers a convenient location for their suppliers.
“Lenovo is committed to this state. We are confident that Guilford
County is going to play a major role in Lenovo’s future,” Owens told
commissioners. Guilford County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Paul
Gibson called the company’s decision surprising and generous.
The Greensboro Economic Development Alliance (GEDA) worked closely with Lenovo representatives throughout the site selection process. GEDA President Dan Lynch commented, “Lenovo is a world class company. Their decision to pull the incentive request clearly demonstrates they are truly committed to Guilford County.”
GEDA is pleased at the team effort that made this project possible and extends special thanks to the Guilford County Planning & Development Department, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the North Carolina Community College System for all of their support to bring Lenovo to Guilford County.
A member of the Greensboro Partnership, Greensboro Economic Development Alliance’s mission is to facilitate the creation of high quality jobs, attract new capital investment, retain and expand existing businesses, improve per capita income and generally improve the quality of life in Greensboro and Guilford County.
Contact:
Dan Lynch, President
Greensboro Economic Development Alliance
336-387-8310