New East Coast distribution center set to open later this year
BALTIMORE, MD (March 29, 2022) — Fanatics, a leading global digital sports platform and one of the world’s largest providers of licensed sports merchandise, is establishing a new 500,000 square-foot distribution center and adding 135 new full-time jobs in Harford County. The company will lease an existing facility at 727 Old Philadelphia Road in Aberdeen, where it plans to make improvements to incorporate material-handling equipment over the next two years.
“We are pleased to welcome Fanatics to Harford County with this significant new distribution center,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “The region has announced several successful distribution and logistics projects over the past year, and we believe Fanatics will continue contributing to this growing sector and help keep Maryland open for business.”
The new East Coast location builds on Fanatics’ existing nationwide merchandise distribution footprint and will allow the company to access one-third of the U.S. population within an overnight drive, as well as convenience to the Port of Baltimore and BWI Airport to reach global customers with ease. With a high demand for speculative buildings, Harford County can easily provide a space to fit Fanatics’ needs with a quick turnaround time.
“Fanatics is excited to open our latest state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Harford County, which will provide a variety of pathways to quickly reach a significant portion of fans with the largest assortment of real-time, high-quality licensed sports merchandise,” said Lonnie Phillips, Fanatics chief customer officer. “We’re excited to be adding jobs to the county and can’t wait to fully immerse ourselves within the local community.”
The Maryland Department of Commerce worked closely with Harford County Economic Development and Cushman & Wakefield to assist with the project. Fanatics is eligible for up to $5,000 in workforce training grants annually through Harford County, which will also work with the company on workforce transportation solutions. The company is also eligible for the state’s More Jobs for Marylanders program, as well as the Job Creation Tax Credit.
“Fanatics will be a wonderful addition to Maryland’s business community, and we’re thrilled that they will be using our state’s strategic location and robust logistics and distribution infrastructure to serve their customers,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “This is a big win for Maryland, for Harford County, for Fanatics, and for all of the global sports fans they serve.”
“We are excited to welcome Fanatics to Harford County and look forward to the new jobs they will bring to our community,” County Executive Barry Glassman said. “They join a growing list of national brands that have chosen Harford as an ideal place to do business.”
