In recent days, WGIL has received several inquiries into the future of United Facilities, a dedicated warehouse of nearly 850,000 square feet located at 1557 S. Henderson St. in Galesburg.
According to its website, United Facilities in Galesburg is a third-party logistics warehouse. It is a food-grade facility with temperature-controlled space.
Question: I’ve heard United Facilities in Galesburg is closing. Is that true?
Officials at the Galesburg office referred us to Peter Hawkins, Director of Operations at the United Facilities corporate headquarters in East Peoria.
Hawkins tells WGIL, “The current tenant is leaving — they’re not renewing their contract. So we are actively looking for a new tenant. Maybe not so much in Galesburg, because the tenant has been there for a while, but this is a normal cycle of the warehouse business; it’s something we deal with regularly.
“You advertise the building and try to get some leads. We have a handful already. So then, you just fill it back up.”
Hawkins said he could not disclose the name of the current tenant, or speak on their behalf. The sign on the Galesburg property and numerous online listings say its a facility that handles products for General Mills.
The United Facilities plant in Galesburg has 86 employees, according to Hawkins.
Any company that employs more than 75 people that is going to undertake a mass layoff is required to file a “WARN Notice” with the state of Illinois. The filings need to be made at least 60 days prior to laying off workers. This is required in part to give enough time to workforce agencies to be able to connect with and provide services to workers.
