Floor & Decor, a leading specialty retailer of hard-surface flooring and related accessories, celebrated the opening of the second-largest distribution center in the major Southern port city of Savannah.

The new 1.4 million square foot Floor & Decor distribution center sits on a 90-acre site within the Morgan Business Center, a 250-acre industrial park in the community of Bloomingdale, just west of the city.  The complex, located near the intersection of Interstates 16 and 95, boasts convenient truck and rail access to the busy Port of Savannah, approximately 11 miles away.

This morning's ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together a number of company associates and officials from all the key entities involved in the transaction that resulted in the new Floor & Decor distribution center, including the Savannah Economic Development Authority; the State of Georgia; the City of Bloomingdale; the Georgia Ports Authority; CBRE Group Inc., which worked with Floor & Decor on the project; and Duke Realty, which has been in charge of development of the new distribution center complex.

"Opening the new Savannah distribution center marks another milestone in the growth of Floor and Decor," Tom Taylor, Floor & Decor's chief executive officer, told the gathering.  "Due to the diligent efforts of our world-class distribution team and our great partnerships with the Savannah Economic Development Authority, the Georgia Ports Authority, Duke Realty and others, we are proud to make Savannah one of our long-term distribution homes."

One of the Savannah region's largest industrial development projects, the new distribution center brings an additional 30 jobs to the area.  With the retention of 55 jobs that have shifted over from the old distribution center, plus another 47 positions at Floor & Decor's 68,000-square-foot Savannah retail store and design center on Victory Drive, the Atlanta-based company now employs 132 people in this area.

"We are delighted to have this major distribution center in our region and that Savannah is able to play an important role in the future growth of Floor & Decor," said Kevin Jackson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Savannah Economic Development Authority.  "The Savannah area's many assets, such as our workforce, the Port of Savannah and our vast infrastructure, are among the keys to making this distribution center a lasting success.  Working with everyone involved with this development project has been a great experience."