Company to open operations center in Charlotte, create 200 jobs

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Charlotte is getting 200 more jobs, but they come with a cost.

XPO Logistics, a company that coordinates shipping around the world, has announced that it is making Charlotte the hub of that operation and will be hiring most of the 200 workers locally.

"We have big plans for our company and Charlotte at the center of those plans," said XPO's Chief Operating Officer, Sean Fernandez.

Fernandez said the company is already posting those jobs online and will be looking for office space in the Ballantyne area.

Why Charlotte?  Fernandez said the weather and ready job market were factors, but the biggest was a state Jobs Development Grant that could pay the company more than $3.2 million if they meet their goals.

'The Job Development Incentive Grant -- you heard him say it played an important part in their decision to come here," said Gov. Bev Perdue, who announced the move at Charlotte's Chamber of Commerce Tuesday afternoon.

Perdue said the taxpayer-funded incentives are simply a reality in today's business world, and something every other state offers, as well.

"When 49 other states disarm, we'll disarm," Perdue said. "There isn't a fairy up in heaven sprinkling job dust on Charlotte. It's a lot of people working hard to get the jobs here."

For more information about XPO Logistics, including job opportunities, visit www.xpologistics.com.

WSOC