Courier company UPS is set to expand its main ground package hub in Columbus, Ohio as part of the company’s multi-year plan to upgrade network operations and capacity.

The expansion, which will entail an investment of over $175M, will double the sorting capacity to process more than 63,000 packages per hour.

The 375,000sq ft addition and retrofit to the 5101 Trabue Road facility brings advanced technology and operations automation to respond to growing customer needs.

Currently, UPS employs about 1,800 people at its package facilities in Hilliard and Obetz as well as the airport gateway operations. The project will create about 75 new jobs in the region.

Derick Craft, president of the UPS Great Lakes District, said: “Columbus has grown as a UPS transit point for commercial and residential e-commerce packages moving across the country.

“We appreciate support by the city and state to be part of plans that optimize the UPS network. Our people will continue reliable service as we maintain daily pickup and delivery operations throughout construction.”

The expansion project is set to be completed in the autumn of 2018.