New Century Welcomes a Major Expansion in Food Distribution
New Century, Kansas, is buzzing with excitement as a global food manufacturer takes a big step forward in expanding its presence in the area. On Wednesday, CJ Logistics America, in collaboration with Yukon Real Estate Partners, broke ground on a **_massive 400,000-square-foot_** cold storage distribution center. This shiny new $85 million facility will sit at the intersection of **_159th Street and Lenexa Parkway_**, and it’s set to bring a wave of jobs and innovation to south Johnson County.
What’s the Connection?
The new distribution center will be right next to the existing plant of Flora Food Group, formerly known as Upfield, which produces popular spreads like **_I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter_** and **_Country Crock_** at **_27080 W. 159th St._** To make things even more efficient, an above-ground conveyor bridge will link the warehouse directly to the manufacturing plant. Flora President Jim Breach shared that this connection will not only streamline operations but will also significantly reduce their carbon footprint. He explained, “By building the distribution facility right beside the plant and the bridge that connects the two, we’re taking a bunch of trucks off the road.”
A Boost for Local Employment
This exciting project isn’t just about cutting down on emissions; it’s also about boosting the local economy. Flora’s New Century facility currently has approximately **_315 full-time employees_**, and this new warehouse is expected to create an additional **_100 full-time jobs_**, along with around **_300 temporary construction jobs_** during the building phase. That’s a lot of opportunities for the local community!
A Strategic Location
CJ CEO Kevin Coleman highlighted the fantastic location of the new facility, noting, “The beauty about this location in Kansas is you’ve got great rail access and great highways. We can reach about **_85% of the population in two days_** in the transportation network.” This convenience will likely make the operation even smoother, and developers are aiming to integrate rail access into the building once it opens, projected for the third quarter of **_2025_**.
Future Growth in the Area
Once construction wraps up, Flora will occupy about **_60% of the new facility_**, leaving the rest available for other tenants. Coleman mentions that this New Century project is their second **_build-to-suit cold warehouse facility_** and their first in the Kansas City area. “Once we hit a market, we tend to go with multiple buildings within the market. This fits very well for us, not only for this project but for our long-term strategy here,” he shared.
A Collaborative Effort
The development team behind this ambitious project includes CJ Logistics, Yukon Real Estate Partners, BGO, and Evans General Contractors. Their collaborative effort is sure to bring a positive transformation to the New Century area, aligning with the community’s needs and priorities.
A Bright Future Ahead
As we eagerly anticipate the opening of this state-of-the-art cold storage facility, it’s clear that New Century is ready to embrace the future. With improved efficiency, job creation, and environmental benefits, this project is just the beginning of exciting developments in our region. The fresh possibilities ahead are sure to have a lasting impact on the local economy and our community at large. Stay tuned as this story unfolds—we can’t wait to see what’s next for New Century!
