Wilton Connor's latest building is part of a larger expansion that could exceed $70 million in the next three to five years. The building could add as many as 300 new jobs to the company's current payroll of 600 employees, according to company officials.

The business park, which could accommodate over over million sf of additional space, is being developed by Kirco Realty Services Group with Westlake owner Centex Development Co. of Dallas.

By early spring, Wilton plans to move into an existing 135,000-sf Westlake building, which will be used for training employees, human resources, a laundry and benefits administration offices.

Last year, Wilton Connor occupied a 98,000-sf office/warehouse at Westlake and more recently leased another 333,840-sf building. In addition to printing equipment, this building will serve as company headquarters and contain a conference center and a 6,800-sf retail showcase area.

Westlake is located in the southwest Charlotte industrial submarket, one of only two that have seen positive absorption numbers for fourth quarter 2000. According to Karnes Research Co., absorption during the quarter was 285,000 sf, compared with a net of 104,000 sf citywide. Six other industrial submarkets reported negative absorption during the quarter. The only other submarket to post positive absorption numbers was the northeast, with 5,800 sf.

Karnes president Frank Warren tells the Business Journal the area is getting a lot of attention from industrial developers because of a pending extension of Interstate 485. St. Louis-based Graybar Electric recently announced plans to expand its Charlotte presence with a 158,000-sf lease at West Pointe Business Park situated along the I-485 corridor.