Politics & Government

Bartlett Dairy Cuts Ribbon to South Ward Facility

Company will bring 400 jobs to Newark residents in coming years

Four-hundred Newarkers could land jobs at Bartlett Dairy's new, 105,000-square-foot distribution center in the city's South Ward, officials said at the facility's ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.

Brick City residents will get first dibs on job openings at Bartlett Dairy, one of the largest fresh milk distributors in the tri-state area, through a first-source hiring agreement the company signed with the city. Bartlett Dairy is an affiliate of Bartlett Distribution Services.

"We have negotiated with the employers that whenever they have new hires, they'll … give Newark Works an opportunity to send over Newark residents to interview for those positions first before anyone else," said of economic and housing development.

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Zipkin also serves as chairman of Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC), which negotiated the deal with Bartlett.

The center, which opened in August at 802-14 Bergen St., currently employs 180 people, according to George Miningam, Bartlett Dairy's vice president for business development.

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"This facility just feels good when you walk into it. The people here – it feels good," said Miningam.

That number is on par with Phase 1 of the company's sales contract with BCDC, the catalyst for Newark's economic growth. In the initial phase, 175 jobs were relocated from Clifton to the South Ward Industrial Park. Phase 2 will create an addition 200 jobs in years to come.

Landing a job at Bartlett has been a godsend for Santa Bereono, 31. Bereono, who lives on Pennsylvania Avenue in Newark with her two children, used to work at a restaurant in New York City. She was hired two months ago by Bartlett to "handle merchandise," she said through a translator.

"This is much better, commuting-wise," she said.

Zipkin said first-source hiring agreements were signed by facilities that recently moved into Newark, like Damascus Bakery, Wakefern Food Corp., and the Marriott and Indigo hotels currently being constructed on Broad Street.

The Bartlett Dairy facility in Newark provides for 500 Starbucks in the tri-state area.

"In 2011, we have seen a dazzling array of groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings that testify to the desirability and strength of Newark as a center for business and development," said Newark Mayor Cory Booker. 

"I also want to thank Starbucks for being a tremendous partner and forgive me for milking this moment, but this accomplishment is utterly incredible," he joked.


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