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FedEx Ground Opens Olive Branch Facility
By Robert Lee Long
The 303,000 square-foot FedEx Ground Automated Terminal dedicated Tuesday, November 21, will act as a magnet to attract other industry, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said after a tour of the sprawling facility.
The terminal, part of the FedEx Ground network, can process 15,000 packages per hour and will employ 300 people and independent contractors. FedEx Ground represents a $60 million investment – 95 percent which was an investment by FedEx.
Barbour said the sheer size and scope of the plant has made Olive Branch and DeSoto County an attractive area for prospective industry.
“It’s great for your state or your town to have a company like this,” Barbour said. “FedEx is an example of what corporate America thinks of Mississippi.”
Mississippi in general, and Olive Branch in particular, have become players on the world distribution stage, Barbour said.
During a press conference following the FedEx ceremony, Barbour said there could be an announcement about a new industry coming to the area in the not-too-distant future.
“There are companies looking at this area,” Barbour said.
However, Barbour said he preferred to let state economic officials make that announcement.
“Having this (FedEx plant) is certainly a plus,” Barbour said. “Clearly, it’s an asset. The economy up here continues to grow.”
Olive Branch Mayor Sam Rikard said FedEx’s impact on his city has been enormous since the company announced its plans to build the ground terminal complex in 2004.
“It’s a great day for Olive Branch and Mississippi,” Rikard said, recalling when he and FedEx officials broke ground on the plant’s site in a muddy field on a cold afternoon. “Working together, this area has been transformed.” In 2004, Olive Branch was the 15th-largest city in Mississippi. Two years later, the city has leapfrogged to the ninth-largest city in the State.
DeSoto County Board of Supervisors President Jessie Medlin said it’s his goal to keep as many jobs as possible “south of the state line.” He pledged continued support from DeSoto County elected officials for the company’s infrastructure needs.
“Olive Branch and DeSoto County are here to serve you with open arms,” Medlin said.