Home Depot executives, along with state and local governmentofficials, were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony on aproject that is reportedly worth more than $30 million and willcreate more than 200 jobs when completed in early 2001.

Several large distribution facilities have recently found a homein the area including The Gap (more than one million sf) inDutchess County and Kohl's retail store chain, whose planned500,000 sf distribution center project in Chester is being held upby environmental problems.

Drex Crowell, vice president of Home Depot's DistributionServices, says of the project, "We evaluated many sites beforedeciding to build our Import Distribution Center in Montgomery. Thelocation was chosen because of the proximity to the growing numberof Home Depot stores in the New England Division and the potentialjob applicant pool. Additionally, the transportation infrastructurein the Orange County area made it ideal."