Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will invest more than $100 million to open a major perishable grocery distribution center in the Mebane, North Carolina. This facility will serve an estimated 123 Walmart retail stores across North Carolina and surrounding states. The company intends to create 450 jobs in Alamance County.

“Walmart’s new distribution center will bring jobs and economic growth to North Carolina and help us maintain the high quality of our produce and other perishable groceries throughout the region,” said Bryan Boudreaux, Senior Vice President for logistics in Walmart’s Eastern Division. “We are looking forward to working with city, county and state officials, in the coming months as we develop our plans and move toward construction.” “North Carolina continues to be a top choice for companies looking to establish advanced distribution facilities,” said Governor Pat McCrory.“We have the skilled workforce Walmart needs to grow and flourish in North Carolina.”

“We’re committed to promoting economic growth in North Carolina and we know that many of those jobs will come from existing companies like Walmart,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. “Walmart’s decision to locate in Alamance County is wonderful news for the local community and the entire state.”

The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $1.1 million. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, N.C. Department of Transportation, Alamance County, Alamance County Economic Development Foundation, the City of Graham, the City of Mebane, and the Golden LEAF Foundation.