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Date: 7/16/2015
SPRINGFIELD – What used to be a first class mail-sorting center will eventually become a modern laundry service.
The president and vice president of Falvey Linen Supply of Cranston, RI, made the announcement with Mayor Domenic Sarno on July 13 the company will be closing soon the purchase of 100 Brookdale Drive, off of Cottage Street. The family-owned business was founded in 1929.
The 240,000 square foot facility is expected not only to house the laundry services but another company as well, Sarno said.
“We are thrilled to welcome Falvey Linen to Springfield,” Sarno said.
“This is a company with a history of success and will add more good paying jobs for our residents and be a great addition to our business community. The word is out and Springfield is on the rise,” he continued.
Jim O’Hara, the president of the firm, said once the $7 million sale goes through it will take a year to renovate the building.
He says the new laundry will employ 100 people.
“It’s a major, major step to built a brand new laundry,” he said. O’Hara added converting the mail facility, essentially a warehouse, would include structural changes.
The company is also finishing talks with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, he said.
O’Hara said there were several reasons the company considered Springfield. He noted business has been good for the company, and its Cranston, RI, facilities are crowded.
He said the company was in a growth cycle and “We wanted to try to find a property that was on the edge of the sales area,” he said. Currently the business does not have accounts in Vermont, New Hampshire or New York and a Springfield location would allow that.
He added that MGM Springfield was “definitely a factor.” The casino would “add more people, add more restaurants.”
Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said, “We’ve talked recently about how some of the major projects can lead to spinoff jobs of companies in the supply chain. Falvey Linen is a first class company that is looking to get into our market and this region, and certainly a factor in that is our growing hospitality industry with MGM Springfield. We’re excited to welcome them to Springfield.”