A $7 million expansion at the McLane Southern distributioncenter is reason for the entire community to celebrate.

With the project, McLane officials hope to be able to retain allof the over 500 employees currently at the facility. The project isalso expected to increase safety and reduce worker-relatedinsurance costs.

More importantly, the investment by parent companyBerkshire-Hathaway, owned by multi-billionaire Warren Buffett,signals a commitment to this community and recognition of itsquality work force.

Buffett’s acquisition of the McLane Company more than a year agoprompted inquiries from major retailers and businesses from coastto coast that were interested in doing business with thecompany.

That interest combined with the expansion presents theopportunity for the local McLane enterprise to grow its customerbase. That, in turn, will help ensure the future of an importantlocal industry.