GOV. BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES $2.8 MILLION IN OPPORTUNITY RETURNS SUPPORT FUELING USF HOLLAND EXPANSION AND BRINGING 230 NEW JOBS TO MADISON COUNTY

"USF Holland is experiencing strong growth in its Midwestern markets. When Illinois firms have the opportunity to pursue new levels of growth, our job is to act as the dynamic business partner that helps them seize those opportunities and realize their full potential. Construction of this new terminal in Edwardsville, and the wealth of jobs it's going to create, will yield tremendous benefits for the entire local economy," Gov. Blagojevich said.

The new 102-door facility, which will be located in an industrial park in Edwardsville, is replacing an older, smaller plant located across the river in the city proper of St. Louis.

"USF Corporation wishes to acknowledge Gov. Blagojevich for the financial assistance provided through the Opportunity Returns program," said Thomas E. Bergmann, Chief Executive Officer of USF Corporation. "The strong growth that USF Holland is experiencing will be well served by this program."

"By increasing our door and dock capacity in the St. Louis market, we can be more productive and cost-effective while providing significantly better service levels," said Steven Caddy, President and CEO of USF Holland, Inc. "We are pleased to partner with the State of Illinois in this venture."

"Gov. Blagojevich continues to show that he has his ear to the ground when it comes to supporting projects that can make a real economic impact in our area. This is the kind of critical investment that will directly bring new jobs and a renewed economic vitality to our community," State Senator William Haine (D-Alton) said.

"Gov. Blagojevich understands that when Illinois companies have the desire, know-how, and demand needed to expand their business and grow their workforce, we need to do everything we can to ensure they have the resources to go forward. Investment deals like this one continue to show that we're creating an attractive business environment complete with all the tools our companies need to thrive," State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville) said.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering this business investment deal. DCEO will make available $2.8 million in Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits based on job creation over a ten-year period and $87,500 from its Employer Training Investment Program to upgrade the skills of its workforce. The city of Edwardsville and Madison County also served as important partners to USF Holland in moving the expansion project forward.

"Local economies that have a diversity of thriving industries are more resistant to downturns and better positioned for steady growth and job creation over the near and long term. USF Holland's new terminal in Edwardsville will give the local transportation and logistics industry an enormous shot in the arm. This is a savvy investment that will not only fuel job creation, but continue diversifying the economic portfolio of the region," DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

USF Corporation, a $2.4 billion leader in the transportation industry, specializes in delivering comprehensive supply chain management solutions, including high-value next-day, regional and national LTL transportation, forward and reverse logistics, and premium regional and national truckload transportation. The company serves the North American market, including the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and Guam. USF Corporation is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit

Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions - each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.

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