More than 100 new jobs are coming to Albany and Dougherty County. The Economic Development Commission announced Monday that Outdoor Network will relocate its Internet fulfillment center to Albany.
Outdoor Network is one of the largest online suppliers of parts and accessories for marine and powersports enthusiasts. Outdoor Network already operates a retail operation here in Albany.
Powersports Plus sells motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, parts and provides maintenance.
Now, they are relocating their distribution center here, helping Albany's economy and giving Outdoor Network the chance to expand.
Outdoor Network is moving their primary operation from Florida to Albany. "They are investing about $3 million into a new facility and anytime we see a company making that kind of investment in the city of Albany it is encouraging to us," said Tem Clem EDC president.
And the move not only helps Albany but also gives Outdoor Network the potential for growth to take the business to the next level.
"Georgia in particular provides an opportunity for us to speed up our delivery times because of the logistics in the state and the local community here is much larger than where we are located in Florida so it gives us a bigger pool for hiring," said Martin Polo, CEO of Outdoor Network/Powersports Plus.
Distribution opportunities were better in Georgia and the hands-on approach with local and state government is what convinced them to move their entire operation to Albany.
"This is a great community, and I think today proves that we have a fantastic business climate, companies like this, companies like Equinox chemicals, they could be successful here," Clem said.
Work force training for Outdoor Network will be provided by Georgia Quick Start through Albany Technical College.
"We deliver technical training to individuals that are being recruited by a company in a start up or in an expansion to help transfer technology to help someone be successful just as soon as they hit the plant floor," said Sean McMillan of Georgia Quick Start.
New employees who will work at the warehousing distribution and call center will fulfill orders made over the internet.
The move will create about 120 jobs in the next two years.
60 to 70 of them will likely be hired in the next 12 months, and the company expects to continue to grow.
The company purchased a vacant 27,000 square foot building on Seminole Lane just north of the airport where they will open the center.
Here is more information from the Albany Dougherty EDC-
The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission announced today that Outdoor Network, one of the largest online suppliers of parts and accessories for marine and powersports enthusiasts, will relocate its Internet fulfillment center to Albany, creating 112 jobs and investing $3.2 million.
Outdoor Network already operates a retail operation in Albany, known as Powersports Plus, where it sells motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, parts and provides maintenance for these.
"Albany-Dougherty County's telecommunications infrastructure, low cost-of-doing business and four-lane highway connectivity make the community an ideal location for Outdoor Network' Internet fulfillment center," said Ted Clem, CEcD, president of the Albany-Dougherty EDC. "We are pleased to see Outdoor Network' continued investment in Albany-Dougherty County, providing meaningful jobs for our residents."
From Albany, Outdoor Network will be able to obtain customer orders, and fulfill and service those orders for shipment throughout the world. It will also provide customer service assistance to its global customer base.
"In my 35 years doing business, I have never encountered such a warm, inviting business climate as I have in Georgia," said Tom D'Azevedo, owner of Outdoor Network, the parent company of Powersports Plus and Boats.net. "We have enjoyed a close working relationship with the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission during this project."
D'Azevedo was a 2012 Albany-Dougherty County guest of the Georgia Quail Hunt, one of Georgia's premier economic development marketing events, which is hosted annually in Albany. Work force training for Outdoor Network will be provided by Georgia Quick Start through Albany Technical College.
"As Georgia's global reputation for logistics continues to grow, we welcome this addition to Dougherty County $5.7 billion logistics industry," said Jackie Rohosky, the Technical College System of Georgia assistant commissioner for economic development programs and head of Quick Start.
Matt Trice, Albany Tech's vice president for economic development, said, "Albany Technical College is pleased and excited to be a part of the Outdoor Networks project, and we look forward to working with the company through the Quick Start training program."
Blair Lewis, director of the corporate solutions and data centers team for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Annie Baxter, business development associate for Electric Cities of Georgia, assisted with this project.
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ATC's Matt Trice shakes hands with Martin Polo of PowerSports Plus
Power Sports Plus has a large retail store in Albany
Left to right- Ted Clem, County Comm. Chairman Jeff Sinyard, and City Mgr. James Taylor
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