News & Announcements

FedEx welcomed to Effingham during groundbreaking ceremony

Release Date: May 8, 2008

The City of Effingham welcomed representatives of FedEx Freight to the community today during an indoor groundbreaking ceremony recognizing the beginning of construction of the 91,280-square-foot facility.

Over 60 residents, including City leaders and local business owners, joined FedEx at the Firefly Grill in Effingham for a groundbreaking ceremony, which was held indoors due to inclement weather.

The 162-door service center will be located south of Petro Stopping Center and west of Effingham High School, with the entrance to the facility to be along the southern extension of Outer Belt West, which connects Fayette Avenue to U.S. 40.

Mayor John Lange welcomed representatives from the company to the City.

“The City of Effingham is happy to have you and your company here with us today to celebrate the groundbreaking of the FedEx Freight facility,” said the Mayor.  “I would like to thank FedEx Freight for coming to Effingham, and I welcome you into our Effingham business community. We wish you good luck and great success.”

The City became involved with the FedEx project two years ago, and since that time, staff has worked diligently to bring the project to completion, according to the Mayor.

“It is one thing to announce a project, but it is the actual work, itself, that brings a project like this to where it is today,” said Lange.  “I want to commend the City team.  Without these people, this project would not be a reality today.”

Representatives of FedEx Freight acknowledged the project as providing a competitive advantage for its customers through the expansion of the shipping industry within the region.

“This is a substantial investment for our company,” said Frank Hurst, vice president for division operations for FedEx Freight.

The new FedEx facility serves as part of the company’s long-term growth strategy, which has enabled the company to successfully capitalize on business opportunities.  The new center, strategically located on Interstate 70 between St. Louis and Indianapolis, will represent an important freight-network enhancement.

Click here to see the progression of this construction project

An indoor "groundbreaking" ceremony celebrated the first stages of construction for FedEx Freight.  From left are: Steve Daxon, Vice President of Russell Construction; Kevin Jones, Managing Member of Jones Development; Mayor John Lange; Frank Hurst, Vice President of Division Operations for FexEx Freight; and Norma Lansing, President of the Effingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry.