Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell presented a $10.85 million check to Edward Stack, chairman and CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods, for the expansion of the company's corporate headquarters in Findlay Township outside of Pittsburgh. At least 700 new jobs will be created within five years, adding to the 1,263 existing jobs at the company's headquarters and distribution center in Westmoreland County as a result of the $64 million expansion project.
“Southwest Pennsylvania has the potential to become the commonwealth's most successful region,” said Rendell. “This potential is apparent by the growing number of businesses, like Dick's Sporting Goods, that are committing their time, effort and resources to this area. Creating jobs and investing in our communities show companies in other states that this is a place where people want to do business and raise families.”
Dick's Sporting Goods has outgrown its current 200,000-square-foot headquarters in Findlay Township and requires additional space to accommodate the expected growth of its headquarters staff. In addition, to accommodate the new employees' parking needs, in 2008, Dick's is planning to construct a four- story, 940-space parking facility on-site.
The Governor's Action Team (GAT), economic development professionals who report directly to Rendell, worked with Dick's Sporting Goods on its expansion project. The state has offered the company a financial package totaling $10.85 million package that includes: a $2 million Opportunity Grant; $2.1 million in Job Creation Tax Credits; $500,000 in Customized Training grants; $1.25 million in Infrastructure Development Program grants; and $5 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
“Dick's Sporting Goods is pleased to announce our continued investment and commitment to Pennsylvania with this next phase of our expansion plans,” said Stack. “The state's assistance certainly made our decision to move ahead easier.”
