Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns program celebrates groundbreaking of new food service distribution facility in Lincoln         

[JULY 15, 2005]  CHICAGO -- Continuing to deliver on the pledge to invest in companies that invest in central Illinois, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns program celebrated the groundbreaking of Robert's Sysco Food Service Inc.'s new 120,000-square-foot facility in Lincoln. The expansion of Robert's Sysco, a food service distribution subsidiary of Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY), is anticipated to create at least 160 new jobs. The new complex is expected to be operational in the summer of 2006 and will include freezer, cooler, dry storage and office space.

"Helping companies like Robert's Sysco break ground on this impressive new facility and secure its future is vital to fostering widespread business development and laying the foundation for more economic growth in Lincoln and throughout central Illinois," Blagojevich said. "By providing this support, we're helping Robert's Sysco to increase its competitiveness while adding more jobs. This is an important business win for both the local and regional economy that should pay impressive economic dividends for years to come."

Reactions from officials

Robbie Robert, president and chief executive officer of Robert's Sysco: "The success of Robert's Sysco is a result of our talented and committed associates. Their excellent performance and efforts to expand our market presence has resulted in a need to construct a replacement facility to accommodate our future growth strategies in central Illinois. We are pleased to partner with Governor Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create new jobs in Illinois."

Jack Lavin, director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: "Governor Blagojevich's economic development vision for Illinois is to deliver the state's resources at the local level so that they can act as a better catalyst of business growth and, in turn, help create more jobs and a more tangible, positive impact for the local economy. The investment we are making in Robert's Sysco will help this company compete on a new level and is a fine example of that vision at work."

State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield: "Despite fiscal resources being limited, local leaders and DCEO worked together to help Robert's Sysco grow its operations and bring new jobs to the area. I also want to thank Governor Blagojevich for his leadership. The joint effort that made today's groundbreaking possible is the kind of aggressive economic development that can help this area retain and create new jobs."

State Rep. Mitchell, R-Forsyth: "This is a great day for the economy in central Illinois. I want to thank Gov. Blagojevich for working with companies like Robert's Sysco that are creating good new jobs and growing our economy."

Robert's Sysco Food Service markets and distributes a complete line of food and related products to approximately 750 customers, including restaurants, health care and educational facilities, lodging establishments, business and industry locations, and other food service operations throughout central Illinois and portions of Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri.

Sysco Corporation is the largest food service marketing and distribution organization in North America. For calendar year 2004 the company reported sales of $30 billion. Based in Houston, Texas, the company provides food and related products and services to approximately 400,000 restaurants, health care and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.sysco.co.

About Opportunity Returns

Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the governor has divided the state into 10 regions, each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.

Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local work force, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.

[News release]