news-record.com

GREENSBORO - FedEx Ground has moved a major step closer to locating a $100 million package hub and its 259 jobs in Kernersville.

A spokesman said Friday night that FedEx Ground has purchased 120 acres in Triad Business Park, but stopped short of announcing that the company would build there.

No date for such an announement has been set, but spokesman David Westrick said, "We would like to make it as soon as possible."

Westrick said the company purchased the land earlier this week, but could not provide a specific date or price.

"We view the fact that we purchased the land as definitely expressing a strong interest in that site," he said, noting that there are still some zoning issues to be resolved.

"We can't begin construction or development until all these zoning issues are settled. It is rare that we buy land and don't develop on it, but it does happen."

The location of the 400,000-square-foot hub in Kernersville would be a major economic stimulus for the region, Guilford County leaders said.

"We need jobs," said Linda Shaw, a Guilford County commissioner.

"They bought the land from someone locally. They are going to be hiring workers here. They are going to be using construction workers here. I think it will be a big boost for us."

Read more in Saturday's News & Record.