The cost for FedEx's new development remains a mystery. "We don't release figures on individual facilities, but this is part of our $1.8 billion, ten-plant expansion program," FedEx Ground's David Westrick explains to GlobeSt.com. "This is the very beginning stage of our expansion plan; we will increase daily package capacity from 2.5 million to 4.8 million by 2009." A possible point of reference for how much FedEx could spend on developing its new king-size facility is AFG Industries' April announcement that it will spend $30 million to build a glass-coating operation of 150,000 sf in Washington County--a structure that will be less than half the size of FedEx's proposed facility.

FedEx's decision to build the new hub in Washington County was not a given. The company settled on the area only after taking into account a bevy of factors. "We're a growing company and lots of manufacturing industries and customers are located in the area," Westrick notes. "We chose this location because, typically, we want a location central to highways, so we can get in and out and move stuff as quickly as possible." In a statement announcing FedEx's impending location to the area, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. concurs, saying, "Washington County is a natural location for this new facility given its strategic location, excellent transportation infrastructure and solid employee base." Opening of the facility, scheduled for 2006, will create about 400 new positions. "Bringing quality jobs and significant capital investment to Washington County strengthens the entire region and will provide tremendous opportunities for future growth."