In the News

• 03/22/2012 - North Omaha Gets Global Sorting Center
  
  

  North Omaha Gets Global Sorting Center

  March 22, 2012
  By Cindy Gonzalez, World-Herald staff writer
  
  FULL ARTICLE
  
  
  Formed in 1983 to distribute $12 million in office equipment donated by 3M to eligible charities, today the international non-profit Good360 finds homes for some $350 million worth of corporate products, including some that otherwise would be tossed out.
  
  And now it is moving all of its distribution and sorting operations to north Omaha.
  
  A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned Thursday for the Good360 National Distribution and Sorting Center. What previously had been operations spread out in 12 cities across the U.S. and Canada will be combined in a central spot at 6200 N. 16th St.
  
  Good360 will use up to half the 260,000-square-foot warehouse that also is home to Cargo Zone, said Good360 chief operating officer Kevin Hagan. Terry McMullen, president of Cargo Zone, is providing the space at no cost, Hagan said.
  
  "The beautiful thing about Omaha," said Hagan, "you're right here in the center of everything ? basically a two-day delivery to either coast."
  
  Consolidation, he said, should substantially cut down time and resources needed to support the company's network of 26,000 nonprofits that provide safety net programs across the country.
  
  Said David Brown, president of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce: "Our location at the transportation crossroads of North America continues to foster business growth and expansion."
  
  Two full-time jobs will be created, but Hagan said the sorting and distribution center also will enable Good360 to provide up to 50 training positions for participants of ResCare Workforce Services, a program funded by the State of Nebraska for public assistance recipients.
  
  The goal is that trainees, after six to nine months, will have gained enough experience in production, inventory management and forklift operations to land jobs.
  
  Gov. Dave Heineman said the state appreciated working with Alexandria, Va.-based Good360 and providing job training grants to help make its project a reality.
  
  Perhaps the greatest benefit to Omaha, Hagan said, is that local nonprofit agencies will have ? in their back yard ? a place to get nonperishable items for clients.
  
  Good360 accepts donated and excess materials such as clothes, toys, personal care products, office and school and building supplies from companies large and small. In some cases, items with flawed packaging are repackaged. then distributed to Good360's network of pre-screened agencies upon request.
  
  The nonprofit members pay only shipping costs. Thus, having one centralized location rather than 12 should save members money as well.
  
  Mayor Jim Suttle planned to help cut the ribbon, saying Omaha was fortunate to be chosen.
  
  
  Contact the writer:
  402-444-1224, cindy.gonzalez@owh.com
  
  
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