CVS/pharmacy Hosts Federal and State Officials at Grand Opening of Its New York Distribution Center

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy held a grand opening event today at its Distribution Center in Chemung, New York.  U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, U.S. Representative Thomas Reed, Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, New York State Senator Thomas O'Mara and New York State Assemblyman Christopher Friend were among the federal, state and local officials who attended the grand opening this afternoon.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/NE50800LOGO )

The 751,000 square foot distribution center, which opened for business in June 2011, will support the inventory and fulfillment needs of at least 350 CVS/pharmacy stores in the northeastern United States.  Representing an investment of approximately $90 million, the facility will employ more than 300 people by the end of 2011 and a total of 600 people when it reaches full capacity.  

"Our Chemung distribution center is supporting the expanding distribution needs of our retail stores and is an important part of our company's overall growth," said Larry Merlo.  "The 600 jobs we are creating here is part of our hiring effort for more than 5,000 positions around the country and across all areas of CVS Caremark's business over the next 12 months."

CVS Caremark hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of its new Chemung facility. Company officials also took the opportunity to recognize and thank supporters from the state and region who helped make the development of the Chemung distribution center possible through economic development grants, utilities and infrastructure improvements and tax incentives for local job creation.

Among the organizations recognized for their support today was Southern Tier Economic Growth, Chemung County Industrial Development Agency, Empire State Development, New York State Office of Community Renewal, the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.    

"CVS/pharmacy's Chemung Distribution Center is a great example of a public-private partnership that benefits the entire region," said Ron Link, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics. "Not only are we creating 600 new jobs in the Southern Tier of New York, but more than 90 New York-based businesses received work over the last two years from the construction of our facility and the installation of equipment."

"This new CVS Distribution Center in Chemung is just what the doctor ordered for the Southern Tier economy," said Senator Schumer. "This $90 million facility is set to create 600 good paying jobs, all while putting the Southern Tier at the center of CVS' operations in the Northeast. I am thrilled and honored to be part of this incredible event today, which is sure to refill jobs and breathe new life into the region."

The CVS/pharmacy Chemung Distribution Center holds the distinction of being the largest industrial building in the state of New York to be certified Gold by LEED, the nation's preeminent green building certification program.  It is also one of the ten largest industrial buildings in the U.S. to receive LEED Gold certification.

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,200 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://info.cvscaremark.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mike DeAngelis
CVS Caremark
[email protected]
401.770.2645

SOURCE CVS/pharmacy