Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina has announced a significant investment by Ahold Delhaize USA, a leading grocery retail group, in the city of Burlington. The company plans to invest $860 million to establish a state-of-the-art distribution center, projected to serve its grocery brands on the East Coast. This project is expected to create 120 initial jobs in Guilford County, with the potential to support over 500 jobs upon completion.
Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of the global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, operates several prominent grocery brands, including Food Lion, The GIANT Company, Giant Food, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop. Together, these brands form the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest in the United States. The company’s new distribution center in Burlington is set to begin construction in 2026, with operations expected to start in 2029.
The investment is seen as a commitment to both customer service and job creation in North Carolina, where the company has been operating for over 65 years. The project will be facilitated by a performance-based grant of $250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, contingent upon the company meeting job creation and investment targets. Local governments are required to match this grant for it to proceed.
The announcement has been positively received by state officials, with Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley highlighting the company’s decision to expand in North Carolina as a significant vote of confidence. Representative Alan Branson and Senator Phil Berger also expressed enthusiasm, citing the economic impact and job creation potential for the region.
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