By Shannon McCaffrey, Associated Press
Northwest Georgia received an economic boost Wednesday as the Lowe’s chain of home improvement stores broke ground on a $125 million distribution center which officials say will bring 600 jobs to the region within three years.
Gov. Nathan Deal was on hand at the ceremony in Rome, where the 1.4 million-square-foot facility will be located on 140 acres. The warehouse is expected to open its doors in 2013.
State and local officials lured the Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s to the state with $37.1 million in tax and other incentives.
The distribution center will service Lowe’s stores in western Georgia, northern Florida and Alabama. It joins three other warehouse facilities in Georgia, in Valdosta, Palmetto and Savannah.