Chewy, a leading online pet-supply retailer, has selected Rowan County in North Carolina for a 700,000-square-foot fulfillment center, with plans to create 1,200 new jobs and invest $55 million over the next several years.
“This represents the largest new jobs announcement in Rowan County’s history,” said Greg Edds, chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. The company will build the huge facility at the intersection of Long Ferry Road and Interstate 85 near Salisbury, located about 45 miles north of Charlotte.
“We’re excited to expand Chewy’s fulfillment operations to North Carolina, our first in the state and ninth in the country…,” said Pete Krilles, vice president of corporate real estate and facilities for Chewy. “Our new fulfillment center will enhance our delivery network across the southeastern United States, allowing us to better service Chewy customers with even faster delivery times.”
Founded in 2011, Chewy is a leading U.S. online retailer of pet food and supplies. The e-commerce company offers customers the expertise and service of a local pet store with the convenience of online shopping. Chewy is dually headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida and Boston, Massachusetts.
“Chewy selected North Carolina because from our infrastructure to our workforce, we have everything businesses need to succeed,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were instrumental in supporting the company’s expansion decision. “Companies like Chewy will find success in North Carolina because we have a strong workforce and desirable business climate,” said Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland. “Pair that with our location and quality of life, and you’ve got a winning formula.”
Rowan County supported the project with a $2.3 million property tax incentive and a $400,000 equipment grant. Both are performance-based incentives requiring the company to meet employment goals before they are granted. The county has also applied for a 1.5 million Community Development Block Grant to install a new sewer line to the building site.
A performance-based state grant of $166,650 from the One North Carolina Fund will support the creation of 150 of the new jobs. The One N.C. Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments.
In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Rowan County Commissioners, Rowan EDC, Centralina Workforce Development Board, Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy.
“We greatly appreciate the partnership with Rowan County, the Rowan EDC, North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina,” company Vice President Krilles said. “We look forward to making a positive economic contribution to the region with the creation of 1,200 new jobs.”