Wal-Mart distribution center work begins soon

Groundwork for the new Wal-Mart distribution center south of Interstate 80 in Storey County is scheduled to begin Feb. 14, a land developer connected to the project said.

Economic development officials anticipate the 890,000-square-foot distribution center, which sits on a 140-acre site, could bring more than $50 million annually into the regional economy.

Lance Gilman, co-owner of the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, said he is extending utilities south and east to access the Wal-Mart parcel. The industrial center is the largest fee-owned parcel of property in the state. It is 104,000 acres, which is about 60 percent of Storey County.

"We're investing an additional $5 million in infrastructure that will include another two miles of USA Parkway, along with water, gas, electric, fiber optics, reclaimed water and sewer," he said.

Gilman said three miles of the USA Parkway has been completed, along with the bridge across the Union Pacific Rail tracks. Construction has started at the new interchange of USA Parkway and I-80.

About 1,000 employees already work in the center at CalKan, a pet food manufacturer; Royal Sierra Plastics; West Cerac, which manufactures the ceramic coating on space shuttles; SanMar, a supplier of wholesale apparel; and Dell computers. Hardie Building Products moved into the center last year.

Gilman said the manufacturers are requesting rail service, which he hopes to provide.

Wal-Mart spokesman Eric Berger said this type of development usually takes about 15 months to construct. It will serve Wal-Mart stores within a 120-mile radius.

To start, 500 employees will work in the center and over the next few years the number will increase to 700.

About 90 percent of the jobs created are planned to be full-time with health insurance, profit sharing and a stock-purchase plan. Hiring of area residents is expected to begin in summer 2006.

Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@ nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.