Tractor Supply Co. Breaks Ground on $70M Distribution Center in Navarre

NAVARRE, Ohio – Tractor Supply Co. broke ground Wednesday on a $70 million distribution center in Navarre that’s expected to create 375 jobs.

The distribution center southwest of Canton is the company’s ninth. It will supply 250 of Tractor Supply’s stores. The company has 96 stores and more than 1,700 employees in Ohio.

“The central location of this new facility in Navarre will allow us to more efficiently service our growing store base and online sales as we continue investing in our business for future success,” said Tractor Supply chief supply chain officer Colin Yankee in a statement. “Beyond the technical fit, we were excited to find the right combination of community support, workforce and cultural fit between Tractor Supply’s values and the village of Navarre.”

The 895,000-square-foot facility is being designed and built to meet high energy efficiency and environmental standards and will be the second project built on the former 327-acre Stark County Farm property, managed by the Stark Board of Trade. Tractor Supply joins Hendrickson USA, a global manufacturer of air suspension systems and components for heavy-duty trucks and trailers, at the site.

Daniel DeHoff, president of The DeHoff Development Co., which is developing the Stark County Farm on behalf of the Stark Board of Trade, stated “On behalf of the six foundations who invested in the development of this Industrial Park, we welcome Tractor Supply as our newest industry. 

“We look forward to bringing more great companies and great paying jobs to Stark County,” he continued. “Each new industry helps these foundations realize their respective mission-related investment which multiplies their philanthropic impact in the communities they serve –  and that’s great news for everyone.“

“Speaking on behalf of the citizens of Navarre, I could not be happier that Tractor Supply chose to build and create jobs in our village,” said Navarre Mayor Bob Benson. “We have been working on building our industrial park for 30 years; for Tractor Supply to bring its 80-plus-year legacy to our community means the world to us. We have been focused on driving economic growth here, and today, the future of our economy is looking bright.”

Stark Economic Development Board CEO and President Ray Hexamer said, “We are excited for the opportunity the Stark County Farm property affords businesses like Tractor Supply Co. whose logistics benefit from choosing an accessible location with a supportive business environment.”

On behalf of the broader region, Bill Koehler, CEO of Team NEO added, “The groundbreaking of the Tractor Supply Co. facility represents what can be done when a strong, aligned regional network comes together to support business growth and economic vibrancy for the Northeast Ohio Region. Along with our local partners, Ohio Development Services Agency and JobsOhio, we look forward to working with Tractor Supply to ensure their continued success.”   

Pictured: At the Tractor Supply Co. groundbreaking in Navarre are (from left to right) Christine Nelson, vice president of project management, Site Strategy; Brad Anderson, project manager, H&M Architects; Bob DeHoff, DeHoff Development and Stark Board of Trade; Dan DeHoff, DeHoff Development; Mick Heckman, Tractor Supply; Colin Yankee, chief supply officer, Tractor Supply; Clay Jackson, vice president  of supply chain planning, Tractor Supply; Tom Guschke, director of engineering and logistics, Tractor Supply; Bill Smith, Stark County commissioner; Robert Benson, mayor of Navarre; Mark Samolczyk, president, Stark Community Foundation; Mark Frank, DeHoff Development.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.