BIDDEFORD­— The former Hostess plant in Biddeford will see its latest tenant, FedEx Ground, opening at the end of August, according to representatives for the company.

Mike Williams, senior manager of FedEx Ground in Saco, confirmed Friday that the new distribution center will open on Aug. 26, with the company taking occupancy toward the end of July.

FedEx acquired permits to lease the 260,000-square-foot building located at 1 Bakers Way about two weeks ago, Williams said. In the coming months, the space will be converted into 114,000 square feet of dock space and 9,200 square feet of office space, leaving additional space open for potential subleasing.

The company is leasing the property from Stag Industrial, a Boston-based real estate investment firm that purchased the building earlier this year for $12.4 million. Williams could not confirm how much FedEx would be leasing the building for, but believes it is a four-year lease.

Hostess Brands filed for bankruptcy in 2012, and the Biddeford factory closed the same year following worker strikes, resulting in the loss of 380 jobs.

Since then, the 40-acre property has changed hands three times. It was sold in 2013 to Flowers Foods, a Georgia-based maker of baked goods, for $15.4 million, and again to Biddeford Holdings LLC for more than $6.8 million in 2014, according to city records.

FedEx representatives said moving into the Biddeford space is the right move at the right time. The Memphisbased company continues to expand nationwide.

“We’re growing very, very rapidly as a company,” said Williams, who added that expanding to Biddeford would increase FedEx’s distribution in the area. “What this has allowed us to do is really increase density. This is going to be the two closest FedEx Ground stations in the entire New England district. It’s allowing us to expand even further.”

According to Williams, the facility will initially be staffed by about 70 workers – 30 vehicle drivers, 25 to 30 dock workers and 10 office workers – mostly consisting of existing employees at the Saco distribution center, although new employees are expected to be recruited throughout the summer.

Williams was unable to say exactly how many new positions would be generated.

“It’s providing relief to the existing facility of Saco,” Williams said.

Stevenson said the facility’s opening would be beneficial for the city’s economic development, especially given that other space is available for sublet.

“The good news is, it brings and retains good-paying jobs,” he said.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].