Trail Mix

By Abby Mendelson

In the end, it was the great outdoors – and great people and a fabulous highway system.

After looking at some 80 locations – what one REI official called “an exhaustive search,” southern New York to central Virginia – it was Bedford that attracted the respected retailer for its Eastern Region Distribution Center.

Now, it certainly didn’t hurt that Bedford is at the nexus of Interstates 99 and 76 and 70, thereby giving REI access to all its customers from Texas to Minnesota.

But it was Bedford’s culture – the outdoors, community spirit, and a good, old-fashioned shoulder-to-the-wheel work ethic – that made the sale.

To begin with, REI had a strong interest to increase its east coast presence. Formed 70 years ago as a 23-person Seattle co-op, it’s now the nation's largest consumer co-op with more than 3.5 million active members (1.2 million east of the Mississippi River) and 10,000 employees – who annually rate REI one of Fortune magazine’s best places to work. Faced with burgeoning sales – with nearly 100 stores in 27 states, REI did a cool $1.3 billion in sales in 2007 – the outdoor outfitter was interested in having an Eastern center of operations. But where?

“We felt that Bedford had a talented workforce,” offers REI’s Chris Joyce, Director of Operations of the Bedford Distribution Center. “Plus the community was a great partner and made Bedford a second home for us.”

Adds Joyce, “one of the things we consistently heard was how reliable the workforce was, what a great work ethic everyone has. In addition, we’re adjacent to an excellent transportation network that meant a three-day maximum shipping time anywhere east of the Mississippi River.”

Needless to say, scores of sites could offer that to REI. So what was Bedford’s value-added?

“One of our core values is to be authentic to the outdoors,” Joyce says. “So recreation here was key -- skiing, mountain trails, rivers and lakes. When we took a look around, Bedford really matched up.”

“One thing that was very important to them was that the community valued outdoor recreation and nature,” offers Bette Slayton, President and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association. “When they came here, they got to know the area. They went hiking at Shawnee Lake -- we put that into our schedule when we showed them the area. Then there’s skiing, canoeing -- they fell in love with the area.”

“What we also wanted,” REI’s Joyce says, “was an opportunity to connect with the community. We didn’t want to be just another grey box on the edge of town. For their part, Bedford was incredibly welcoming. They liked our idea of community outreach – we’ve had 60 volunteers hauling tons of junk out of the Juniata River, for example. After a10-year dormancy, we sponsored the Bloody Run Canoe Classic – and 48 people showed up to try the 5- and 10-mile options. So that promise of community connection came through as well, including volunteers working in the schools on environmental concerns and healthy lifestyles. This is where our heart is – and in Bedford it’s been beyond expectations. The people have been fantastic.

“Finally,” Joyce adds, “the Bedford economic development committee was critical – they smoothed the path for us. We’d have been lost without them.”

After a rigorous two-year selection and construction process, that path led to a 43-acre site where, in November 2007, REI opened a 525,000-square-foot building. Expecting to employ 350, it stands as one of the country’s largest green warehouse-distribution centers, earning a U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certificate for New Construction.

As good neighbors, REI began by donating an existing house to Habitat for Humanity, then designating 12 acres for natural wetlands, a wildlife refuge, and storm water run-off area. The building itself was positioned to take seasonal advantage of the sun and the wind – and with more than 360 skylights and windows reduced energy consumption by some 33 percent. In addition, more than half of the six miles of conveyor belts work only when something is placed on them. Add the environmentally friendly restroom facilities, including dual-flush toilets, low-flow sinks and showers, and waterless urinals. Then there’s the employee gym, Frisbee golf course, basketball court, showers – all to encourage healthy lifestyles.

“They’re incredible,” Slayton beams. “We’re so fortunate that REI selected Bedford County.” Then she asks the all-important question. “Will it lead to other development? Will it be a magnet?” She thinks so. “National companies know that REI performs a comprehensive site selection process. And that REI has given us their stamp of approval. And that they will give testimony about us.

“REI has put our name on the map,” Slayton adds. “Once people come to Bedford County, they fall in love with it and want to relocate here.”