Platte County presiding commissioner Ron Schieber called the ribbon cutting for a new CVS Health distribution center “A great day for Platte County and a great day for Kansas City.”
Governor Mike Parson echoed those sentiments as he took part in the festivities Friday, Aug. 24, at the new 762,000 square-foot facility, located at 10711 N. Congress Avenue.
Parson was the final speaker at an event held under a tent in the parking lot for the location, which will be a distribution center for more than 500 CVS Pharmacy stores throughout the Midwest.
“It is called partnership: with the city, counties and the state and how we work together to make Missouri a better state, and this couldn’t be a more perfect example today,” said Parson, who took over office as the state’s 57th governor on June 1. “When you hear ‘$111 million investment,’ that is music to our ears. We want a few more … what a beautiful facility it is.”
The new business, located in the Skyport Industrial Park, will add 360 new jobs. Currently there are 50 employees there, with plans for 160 total by the end of the year, according to Platte County Economic Development Counsel executive director Alicia Stephens.
A pair of hiring fairs have been held by CVS, which hopes to be fully staffed by 2019. An additional 70 to 100 jobs will be added through work with local businesses.
The facility expects to start shipping orders on Oct. 1 and will become the 18th distribution center nationwide. There are more than 9,800 retail CVS locations and more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics.
“CVS Health is creating 360 good-paying jobs; jobs that will support area families,” Parson said. “That’s a good story in and of itself, but on top of that, this facility will ship product to 500 CVS Pharmacy locations all over the Midwest. It all starts here. It starts with CVS and the partnerships that made the project possible. That’s something that CVS Health, all of Kansas City and all of Missouri, can be proud of.”
All three Platte County commissioners were present, as well as state representative Noel Shull. U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill and U.S. Congressman Sam Graves had a member of their respective office staffs there.
CVS Health senior vice president of supply chain Jeff Pilof and chief policy and external affairs office Thomas Moriarty both spoke.
Moriarty said the new facility will help the company reduce driving distances, therefore, also reducing carbon emissions. He noted CVS will partner with several local charitable programs: Feed Northland Kids, Midwest Hemophilia Association, The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City and First Call KC.
“We look forward to investing in the local community and charity organizations to serve the needs,” he said.
Scheiber noted the commission learned of something called ‘Project Toto’ two years ago, which later became this facility.
Kansas City council members Dan Fowler and Teresa Loar were present — both represent Platte County in the second district — as was councilman Scott Taylor, who is on the planning and zoning board.
Fowler first thanked Parson for coming to the event, pointing out the new governor has visited Kansas City more times in three months than his predecessor, Eric Greitens, did in more than a year and a half in office.
“Economical development is a critical piece in Kansas City’s growth and attracting a company like CVS is huge,” Fowler said. “This is a celebration of the Northland, which continues to grow and is a hub for new investments as our city enjoys absolutely incredible momentum.”
CODY THORN/Citizen photo
The new CVS Health distribution center was called ‘project toto’ two years ago, but on Friday, Aug. 24, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the $111 million building that is located off of N. Congress Avenue in Kansas City, Mo.