FedEx Ground Plans New Chicago Distribution Center

FedEx Ground, the small-package ground unit of FedEx Corp., is building a package sorting and delivery station that would be the company’s fifth in the Chicago area.

The 214,000 square-foot facility is expected to open late next year, the company said Friday. Its workforce will start with 200 full-time and part-time employees and could grow to almost 500 when operating at full capacity.

“Enhancing our distribution capability in the Midwest is an important step in our ongoing efforts to increase the size, speed and efficiency of our network,” said James Primm, vice president of the FedEx Ground’s central region.

“This new facility will enable us to meet the growing demand of local shippers and transport shipments across the country,” he said in a statement.

FedEx Corp. is ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.