Who Are They?
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Inc. has been in business for 59 years. They are based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Lowe's is the second largest home-improvement retailer in the world. They have been recognized across the nation:

    - FORTUNE 2003 Most Admired Specialty Retailer
    - Ranked 50 on the FORTUNE 100 and seventh on the Business Week 50 list
    - Number 1 in Business Week’s S&P 500 ranking - retailing category
    - Named 2002 ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year

What Will They Build?
Lowe's has proposed to build a 1,358,103 square foot Regional Distribution Center within the City limits of Lebanon, Oregon. Once built, this building should be one of the three largest single-level buildings in Oregon. At full build-out, the building should be the largest in Oregon. Over 28 Lebanon High School football fields could fit under its roof. At full build-out we could have over 43 football fields within its walls.

Where In Lebanon Are They Proposing To Build?
They plan to purchase a 204 acre parcel located northwest of the intersection of Reeves Parkway and Hansard Avenue. The parcel is bounded on the north by Gore Drive. It is currently within City limits and is zoned for industrial uses. There is tremendous expansion potential on this site. Lowe's has shown a possible expansion to a 2,155,764 square foot building for the future.

What Will It Serve?
This distribution warehouse is expected to serve the growing number of Lowe's Retail Warehouse sites in the Northwest. This will include all of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, as well as Western Montana and portions of Nevada and California.

When Will They Build It?
Lowe's plans call for construction to begin in September 2005. Distribution operations should commence about two years after the beginning of construction. This timeframe is subject to change.

What Will This Do For The Community?

Construction Jobs - Prospective employment due to this development will be tremendous. Approximately 350 construction workers will be employed over the two year construction period. Lowe's has indicated that they will use local contractors and the local construction labor force whenever possible.

Distribution Warehouse Jobs - Between 400 and 750, or more, full time jobs will be created to operate the distribution warehouse. These are family wage jobs with full benefits including profit sharing. A nearly identical facility that opened in Florida in October of 2004 is now employing over 600.

Further Industrial Development - Extension of roads and other infrastructure to the Lowe's site will incidentally provide these services to other vacant industrial sites. Approximately 125 acres of vacant industrial property will find itself ready for immediate development.

Lowe's Distribution Warehouse sites typically attract additional industrial development. It is our understanding that the Perris California Lowe's site facility triggered over a dozen additional industrial partners supplying the Lowe's Warehouse.

Facilitate Expansions - Some existing Lebanon businesses are limited by infrastructure constraints. The improvements needed by Lowe's will remove many of those roadblocks. Expansion of existing businesses, most notably ENTEK and Economy Supply, can now proceed due to the Lowe's project.

National Recognition - As is common for developments of this magnitude, Lebanon will be recognized nationwide as a potential location for other unrelated industrial projects. Even commercial interests will realize that Lebanon is a viable and attractive place to build. If Lowe's, a national company with a good reputation, is choosing Lebanon over many other, larger competing cities, then others will certainly take note.

Housing Opportunities -  Hundreds of new jobs will attract new home buyers. The demand for new homes will increase the selection and diversity of housing types in Lebanon. There will also be a corresponding increase in construction jobs in Lebanon.

Existing Businesses - All businesses in Lebanon will feel the increase in the local labor force.

Financial Impact - Lowe's annual payroll is expected to be in the range of 15 to 17 million dollars per year. This does not take into account the additional payroll from additional industrial or commercial development attracted to Lebanon by Lowe's, nor the increase in construction jobs to meet the housing market demands.

Existing Labor Force - There should be a noticeable decrease in the unemployment rate in east Linn County when Lowe's starts construction, and a notable decrease when distribution operations begins. Lebanon wage earners who are currently employed out of town will have new opportunities to work and live in the same community. Keeping workers in town will also increase their patronage of local businesses.

Pride In Lebanon - Lebanon will be recognized as a vibrant, attractive community. Lowe's will be a source of pride for our citizens.

How Will Our Roads Be Impacted?
The proposed location of the Lowe's Distribution Warehouse is uniquely situated to minimize traffic impacts. The vast majority of the expected 300 trucks per day will be using Highway 34 to access Interstate 5. The majority of truck and employee traffic will be accessing Highway 34 just west of Economy Supply. This means that very few Lowe's trucks will be seen on other Lebanon roads. As with any major employer, there will be a noticeable increase in car traffic during employee shift change. A traffic impact study will be conducted during the planning phase of this development and will be discussed more thoroughly at the Planning Commission Public Hearings.

What Kind of Incentives Has Lebanon Offered to Lowe's?
Economic Development Incentives have been offered to Lowe's from the State of Oregon (Lottery Funds), the City of Lebanon, and Linn County. The total package currently being discussed amounts to over $12 million dollars. The City of Lebanon’s contribution of approximately $9 million dollars will be entirely paid back from property taxes paid by Lowe's. The estimated annual property tax Lowe's will be paying is nearly $2 million dollars per year.

Will The Public Have A Chance to Comment On The Proposal?
Absolutely, there will be at least two public hearings before the Lebanon Planning Commission. The first public hearing is expected in early February.

What About The Jobs?
Construction on the site is expected to last two years and employ 350 construction workers.
Between 400 and 750, or more, full time jobs will be created. The actual number of employees hired at start-up will be determined by the growth of the number of Lowe's Retail Stores in the Northwest over the next three years. At full build-out the number of jobs could exceed 800. These are family wage jobs with full benefits including profit sharing.
Lowe's most recent distribution warehouse opening occurred on October of 2004 in Osceola County, Florida created more then 600 jobs.

-Courtesy of http://www.ci.lebanon.or.us/node/16