Two Carroll businesses won state recognition yesterday for their efforts to expand and add jobs.
In a ceremony in Annapolis attended by county and municipal officials, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. honored Carroll County Foods and Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc.
"He spoke of the accomplishments of both companies and about the creation of jobs," said Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge, who attended the ceremony with her fellow commissioners. "Both of these companies are expanding and staying in Carroll County. That's a great thing."
Carroll County Foods is launching a two-phased expansion in New Windsor. The first phase will add 11,000 square feet in cooling equipment and nine loading-dock doors. Later next year, the company, a subsidiary of the Richmond, Va.-based Performance Food Group, will increase warehouse and office space. The projects will add 75 jobs to the 180-employee force.
Founded in 1964 as an egg business, the company has grown into a major wholesale foods distributor that serves a 150-mile radius in the county, delivering more than 8,000 products.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, a leading retailer of men's tailored and casual clothing, has leased an additional 289,000 square feet of space near its Hampstead distribution center. The expansion will bring 100 more employees into the 345-employee work force.
The move comes after the company's recent decision to open 30 more stores this year and to expand the company to 500 stores within the next four years. It has also entered into a partnership with QVC to sell its products on television and on QVC's Web site.
"Both of these companies said the county has worked well with them on these expansions," Gouge said. "They are excited to be here, and we are excited to have them."
