Wilson Logistics CEO details $20M commercial plans for Strafford campus

Over-the-road trucking company Wilson Logistics Inc. has commercial plans in the works at its 120-acre corporate campus in Strafford.

Darrel Wilson, company founder and CEO, discussed potential uses of the acreage during a live interview yesterday by Springfield Business Journal Editorial Vice President Eric Olson. Wilson spoke for SBJ's 12 People You Need to Know series at The Backlot, Alamo Drafthouse Springfield's restaurant and bar.

"We've got some neat plans for it," he said. "We'd like it to be a trucking and logistics-related community."

Wilson said commercial plans at Wilson Logistics' campus would seek to complement existing offerings in Strafford and northeast Springfield along Interstate 44. The campus is at 545 E. Evergreen Road in Strafford.

"Our next project is likely a hotel and restaurant," he said, noting a goal would be "a nice premium brand, maybe a Hampton or something like that."

Wilson said the commercial plans are estimated to cost $20 million.

Other potential uses of the land include a health clinic – for employees and the community, a storage facility and truck parking.

"We think there's some warehousing opportunities out there," he added. "Logistically, it's a good spot for freight coming to Springfield."

The Wilson Logistics headquarters project on the campus represented a $7 million-$8 million development, according to past reporting.

Asked by Olson if Wilson Logistics was inspired by Prime Inc.'s Robert Low and his Oasis Hotel & Convention Center property, Wilson responded in the affirmative.

"We took a page out of Robert's book," said Wilson.