Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Save-A-Lot, Ltd., a leading discount grocery chain, will build a new distribution center in Davidson County. The company plans to create 43 jobs and invest $24.45 million during the next three years in Lexington. The project was made possible in part by a $125,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“Our long term strategy for creating jobs and launching North Carolina into full economic recovery is clearly working,” Perdue said. “Our investments in education, training and transportation have created a skilled workforce and top-rated business climate that continue to make North Carolina an attractive location for businesses looking to expand or relocate. Job creation is my top priority and Save-A-Lot’s expansion is a welcome addition of new jobs for Davidson County.”
Save-A-Lot is an independent but wholly owned subsidiary of SUPERVALU INC (NYSE:SVU). Based in St. Louis, it is the nation’s fifth largest grocery store chain overall with nearly 1,200 value-oriented food stores operated either corporately or by licensed retailers across 39 states. Save-A-Lot operates six corporate retail stores throughout North Carolina employing 100 people. The new distribution facility will supply those stores, 11 licensee retail stores and others in the surrounding region.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $30,279 not including benefits. The Davidson County average annual wage is $29,640.
“We are excited to be expanding our presence in North Carolina with the addition of a new distribution center in Lexington,” said Bill Shaner, Save-A-Lot president and chief executive officer. “This distribution center will allow us to serve our current stores more efficiently and at the same time, grow our business in the region. We recognize and value the strengths of the community, and would like to thank Governor Perdue, Mayor Walser and the City of Lexington, the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Davidson County Economic Development Commission for their assistance in providing the opportunity to locate our facility here. We look forward to a strong partnership in the years ahead.”
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.
“For years, we have told skeptics that businesses are looking for more than just the lowest bidder, that they want a first rate workforce, an efficient transportation network and other critical pieces of infrastructure,” said Rep. Hugh Holliman, of Lexington. “Announcements like today’s good news from Save-A-Lot are proof that we chose the right course.”
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 45,000 jobs and $8 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, the City of Lexington, Davidson County, Davidson County Community College and the Davidson County Economic Development Commission.
For more information about Save-A-Lot, including job opportunities with the company, go to save-a-lot.com.