Modern Distributors To Expand Facility In Somerset, Ky.

May 17, 2011
Modern Distributors, a convenience store, vending and foodservice distributor, will expand its Somerset, Ky. footprint, constructing a new 12,500 square-foot cooler- freezer facility.

Modern Distributors, a convenience store, vending and foodservice distributor, will expand its Somerset, Ky. footprint, constructing a new 12,500 square-foot cooler-freezer facility. The expansion, which will allow the company to remain competitive and will result in 20 new jobs for the community.

Modern Distributors began its Somerset operation in 1965 as a small, family-owned vending company and has grown into an organization designed to serve the wholesale grocery, coffee/beverage and foodservice needs of convenience stores. Known as "Team Modern," the company currently has approximately 1,300 vending, coffee and wholesale customers and employs 179 people between its Somerset headquarters and satellite office in Louisville.

"The new cooler/freezer expansion will allow us to offer ice cream, other dairy products, a full line of food service products and fresh produce to our customer base, helping them be more competitive in their businesses," said Jerry Ray, president of Modern Distributors in a prepared statement. "As a convenience store wholesale supplier, this project is critical to our future growth and the expansion of our food service product offerings to our customers. The support from both the state and local community on this expansion has been tremendous. We believe this project will give our facility the capacity we need to grow and create jobs within our organization."

The newly constructed facility, which will be located near the company's existing site on West Columbia Street, is expected to be complete by mid July.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Modern Distributors for tax incentives up to $48,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act. The incentive program allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development, and electronic processing equipment.

For more information on Modern Distributors, visit www.teammodern.com