by Kurt Johnson

 Adding the familiar FedEx logo at Aurora’s 332 exchange is proof positive, state and local officials agree, that Interstate 80 gives Nebraska a solid foothold in the transportation logistics industry.

Aurora Area Chamber & Development Executive Director Christian Evans said FedEx is a great addition of another Fortune 500 company to Hamilton County.

"We’re glad FedEx recognizes our geographic location as an asset," Evans said. "We see that already in having companies like Love’s and Con-Way Freight reporting success above their expectations. I hope that we will be able to build upon our increasing success when it comes to recruiting logistics companies to the area."

When FedEx opens its hub just west of Love’s next month there will be five transportation-related businesses on the corridor, reflecting an industry that’s growing when many others are not.

"From our perspective, transportation logistics was identified as a major target industry dating back 10 years and we’ve been working diligently to build that industry," said Richard Baier, executive director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. "We believe we’ve made significant headway in building a foundation for this industry to grow and prosper in our state."

Working with the Nebraska Truckers Association and Nebraska Logistics Council, Baier said the DED has plugged itself in to a growing industry.

"This is an ongoing part of the process to be able to capitalize on I-80, which from our perspective is America’s new Main Street," he said. "In light of where it’s at and the kind of connections it makes, we have to continue to capitalize on that opportunity."

Aurora jumped in to the arena about seven years ago, when the Aurora Development Corporation created the Woodard Subdivision and began recruiting business and industry to the 40-acre site on the southwest quandrant of the interchange. Love’s Travel Stops signed on as an anchor tenant purchasing 10 acres within the first year.

Since that time, Interstate Batteries relocated from downtown Aurora and expanded its operation to the Highway 14 corridor, Con-Way Freight built a distribution center a mile north of Love’s, and Timpte began selling trailers on the southeast corner of the interchange.

Contact with FedEx began more than a year ago and the company recently signed a five-year lease to open a relay station on the north end of the subdivision.

"The selection by FedEx of the Aurora interchange is another big step for the development of the Woodard Subdivision," said Gary Warren, a member of the Aurora Development Corporation.

Warren noted that Gov. Dave Heineman and the Department of Economic Development suggested a few years ago that transportation-related industries would be a good area of emphasis for the Aurora Development Corporation’s business recruitment efforts. That strategy, he pointed out, is proving effective.

"This is the fourth such major business to be located at our interchange and we expect that with this concentration of transportation-related businesses we will see additional related businesses develop," he added.

Warren also noted that the FedEx deal would not likely have happened without the City of Aurora and Love’s efforts to get the entry street redone. Portions of Madison Avenue had deteriorated significantly under the heavy truck traffic, prompting a new, stronger road to be constructed slightly to the south earlier this year.

"We appreciate Mayor Seeman’s help in coordinating the effort to get that street issue resolved," Warren said. "And going forward, Aurora Development Corporation and the City of Aurora teaming up to extend the utilities further west along that street will not only serve Fed Ex, but will put our subdivision in a position to serve additional businesses with utilities."