Costco plans to relocate a distribution facility from West Palm Beach to Port St. Lucie.
The distribution center, at 5851 45th St., will close when the new center opens, said Eric Orren, Costo’s director of real estate. It is one of just 24 regional distribution depots servicing its more than 800 stores.
“We’re looking to relocate our West Palm Beach depot to Port St. Lucie because we’ve maxed out our growth there,” Orren said.
It’s not clear if any workers at the current facility will lose their jobs but Wes McCurry, senior vice president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, had previously cited a number of the economic impacts the project would bring to the Treasure Coast. Costco has said the new facility would create 265 full-time jobs with an average wage of $55,350 plus benefits. The area’s Economic Development Council projects economic impact of construction at nearly $85 million, while the impact of the new jobs is estimated at about $198 million annually.
Port St. Lucie city officials said Costco may also eventually open a warehouse store in the city.