DOT foods gets loan to expand

March 24, 2000|By SCOTT BUTKI

The Maryland Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved a $380,000 conditional loan to DOT Foods Inc. so the company can expand in Washington County.

The Illinois-based company, which buys products from food manufacturers and sells them to restaurant suppliers, plans to use the money to pay for construction of a storm water pond, according to a news release from the office of Gov. Parris Glendening.

"DOT Foods' expansion in Maryland shows the company's faith in the state and in the top-notch work force we have to offer," Glendening said in the news release.

The expansion is part of a $4 million expansion at the 70/81 Industrial Park on Elliott Parkway north of Williamsport, which will add 75,000 square feet of dry warehouse space, according to the release.

The land is across the street from the company's 150,000-square-foot distribution center, General Manager John Long said.

The Maryland Industrial and Commercial Redevelopment Fund loan is conditional on DOT hiring at least 150 full-time employees by June 30, 2004. It also must retain 150 new workers and invest a minimum of $4 million in capital expenses by June 30, 2007.

The Washington County Commissioners in August agreed to pay a $41,800 local match for the loan.

"DOT Foods is the largest food service redistributor in the United States serving distributors coast to coast on a daily basis," said Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission Executive Director John Howard.

"We're thrilled that Hagerstown-Washington County was recognized by the company as being the best match for its expansion planning," Howard said.

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