LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Mid-States Distributing will move into the former Toys 'R' Us distribution center in Lee's Summit, Missouri, officials announced Tuesday.
The company purchased the 725,769-square-foot building on 420 SE Thompson Drive.
Rick McDowell, president and CEO of Lee's Summit Economic Development Council, said Mid-States Distributing will invest $35 million initially and plans to grow from there.
"Mid-States will most certainly serve as a catalyst for ongoing business expansion and attraction in Lee's Summit's southside commerce corridor," McDowell said.
City officials and company leaders cut the ribbon on the new distribution center on Tuesday.
"We're going to distribute all kinds of things," said Tom Mahlke, president and CEO of Mid-States Distributing. "We are owned by 29 retailers. In fact, one of our members is right down the road, Family Center (Farm and Home) of Harrisonville."
Mid-States is one of the leading U.S. and Canadian farm and ranch retail store cooperatives, according to a news release from the city.
The company is currently in the hiring process. It plans to hire between 30 and 35 people by the end of the year and more employees in the future.
"It is creating jobs, giving people some new opportunity here, and in addition they come in and bring new light, a new investment into the community," McDowell said.
Mid-States Distributing hopes to begin operating from the facility by January.
