Fulfillment Distribution Center to Close in St. Cloud, Laying Off 350 Employees
Fulfillment Distribution Center (FDC) in St. Cloud, Minnesota, has announced plans to close its plant this fall, resulting in the layoff of 350 employees. The closure is due to the loss of FDC’s sole customer, Publishers Clearing House (PCH), which is discontinuing its mail-order commercial business.
PCH, known for its sweepstakes promotions with million-dollar prizes, has also announced layoffs at its New York facility. A representative of PCH was not available for comment, and FDC president Dave Baldwin could not be reached either.
In a letter to the state regarding the layoffs, FDC stated that it is “looking for other fulfillment customers to replace the current work.” The center has been in business since 1998, and its closure will be a significant loss for the local economy.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis expressed disappointment over the news but remains hopeful that FDC will find another customer. “We’ll do everything we can,” Kleis said.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported that St. Cloud had an unemployment rate of 3.3% in March, higher than the overall state rate of 2.7%. This comes after St. Cloud landed an Amazon distribution center in 2021, which added hundreds of jobs to the local economy.
