Council Unanimously Approves CR-083-2016 Endorsing State Funds for Safeway Development Project (corrected copy)
The Prince George’s County Council, during its final Legislative Year 2016 session Tuesday, approved a measure endorsing an $850,000 loan from the Maryland Department of Commerce supporting a Safeway, Inc. development project in Prince George’s County. State law requires the endorsement. The County Council previously approved an Economic Development Incentive Fund (EDIF) loan of $500,000 in support of the Safeway project.
Under this $14.5 million project and with Council-approval of CR-083-2016, Safeway, Inc. will remain in Prince George’s County; expand and renovate its distribution facility in the County; and retain 625 employees in distribution center jobs that average more than $50,000 and offer competitive benefits. Safeway further committed to creating an additional 15 full-time positions over three years. According to company reports, more than half of Safeway’s current workforce is composed of County residents.
This project will also offer local contracting opportunities, as Safeway works with Prince George’s County to meet 20-percent Local, Small and Minority-owned Businesses goals and requirements during the project’s construction phase.
Council Chair Derrick Davis (D) – District 6 says Tuesday’s Council action saved important jobs in Prince George’s County, but cautions the work is not over.
“While we certainly celebrate the Safeway distribution center development project and what it means for jobs and revenue in the County, the Council remains keenly aware of the waning presence of Safeway retail stores and the company’s disappearing footprint leading to food deserts in our established communities.”
The Economic Development Incentive Fund supports job retention and attraction, and economic development and redevelopment initiatives in Prince George’s County.
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