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Kraft Foods and Springfield Underground
have reached agreement for Kraft to lease 400,000 square feet of
refrigerated warehouse space, capitalizing on the unique local
geological features. This new regional distribution center
will consolidate leased refrigerated storage requirements for the
Springfield plant, and eventually also serve other Midwestern Kraft
locations.
Kraft cites the Springfield
Underground's reduced energy costs as the primary consideration for
the expansion. Additional efforts by MoDOT, the City of Springfield,
and City Utilities will assists Kraft's expansion by improving
Kearney Street to accommodate the increased truck volumes. The
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce facilitated the efforts to
secure funding for the necessary road improvements.
Springfield is well-positioned as the
site for a regional refrigerated distribution facility for Kraft,
due to the needs of the local plant, which is one of Kraft’s larger
operations; the presence of a Kraft Private Fleet hub and other
major transportation carriers; and proximity to customer
distribution points. |
