Arkansas officials celebrate new Dollar General distribution center as a triumph in local economic development
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Wednesday, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other state and local officials gathered at the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and formally welcomed Dollar General’s new distribution center in North Little Rock.
Among the speakers were Congressmen French Hill and Rick Crawford, Mayors Frank Scott Jr. and Terry Hartwick of Little Rock and North Little Rock, respectively, as well as Dollar General CEO, Jeff Owen.
The future 1.2 million square foot Dollar General distribution center has been eagerly embraced as an economic development triumph.
Construction of the massive facility is already well underway, and expected to reach completion in 2024.
Multiple speakers at the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce hailed the $140 million investment by Dollar General as an answer to regional food insecurity, in part thanks to the cold storage component of the future facility, which will distribute frozen and perishable food, unlike most Dollar General distribution centers.
“And so, understanding that a lot of communities are relying on Dollar General to provide that access and knowing that we’re not a grocer, we’re really making sure and making a conscious effort to ensure that residents have the affordability that they need,” said Crystal Luce, Senior Director of Dollar General Public Relations.
“The North Little Rock distribution center will actually combine our traditional distribution center facilities with our DG Fresh and our private fleet presence, so it will give us a way to better serve our stores and our customers around the region,” Luce said.
North Little Rock city council approves resolution for Dollar General distribution center
The North Little Rock city council Monday approved a resolution for a Dollar General distribution center to be built. The $140 million warehouse would be constructed in the Galloway area near the Amazon fulfillment center, according to city officials. It would initially create 300 jobs, but they hope to be able to create 600 jobs over time.
The distribution center is on Highway 70 in North Little Rock, right down the road from Amazon’s new distribution center and the nearly completed Lowe’s distribution facility.
“Our economic development team, Robert Birch and the mayor specifically, along with the chamber, was really, really involved in getting the distribution center on this side of the river. Specifically, saying, we have the land for you to put this type of facility,” said Derrell Hartwick, President and CEO of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce.
“When you have three big distribution centers from three different companies say yes in this short of a span, it just shows how the hard work is really paying off,” Hartwick said.
The distribution center is expected to create 300 jobs as well.
“The economic impact is going to be felt throughout the region and throughout this state,” Hartwick said. “North Little Rock has the employees and the people working it. That’s why they chose this site.”
