VICTORVILLE, CA-The Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s new manufacturing and distribution facility has opened here. The 850,000-square-foot property, at the Southern California Logistics Airport, is one of the largest construction projects completed across the country this year.

Keith Metzler, director of economic development for the city, said a pro-business climate helped bring the company to the area. “This project represents a positive development amidst the backdrop of a challenging Southern California economy and will pave the way for additional high-caliber corporations to follow,” he said in a statement.

The facility serves as the company’s western manufacturing and distribution hub, bringing up to 40 million cases of product to California and parts of the Southwest. The site is made up a 550,000-square-foot distribution center, five filling lines, office space, and beverage processing and support systems. The Plano, TX-based firm will manufacture and distribute soft drink and juice brands such as Snapple, A&W Root Beer, Schweppes, Squirt, RC Cola, Mott’s, 7UP and Hawaiian Punch at the property. 

Other tenants at the airport include Newell Rubbermaid and GE Transportation. Plastipak Packaging Inc. also recently agreed to lease a 260,000-square-foot building at the airport for nine years.