BESSEMER, Alabama — Lowe’s Home Improvement announced this week plans to construct a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution facility in Jefferson County, creating 150 jobs as part of a $61 million project.
The Birmingham Business Alliance said the facility will be located in Bessemer next to a Carvana distribution center on Morgan Road on 98 acres of property currently owned by U.S. Steel. The location is becoming a major distribution hub, housing facilities operated by several major retailers.
The BBA said North Carolina-based Lowe’s will contract with developer Clayco to construct and lease back the facility, which will house bulk items for distribution like refrigerators and water heaters and will provide stock space for 112 stores throughout the Southeastern region.
“We are extremely excited that Lowe’s Companies Inc. has decided to increase its footprint in the Southeastern United States by locating here in Bessemer,” Mayor Kenneth Gulley said.
“This is the latest in our efforts to position Bessemer as an economic powerhouse for manufacturing and industrial development in this county, state and region.”
DISTRIBUTION HUB
The BBA spearheaded the project that brought the home improvement retailer to Bessemer.
“This project shows resiliency in our local economy in that something this large has landed at a very critical time for both jobs and capital investment across the nation,” said Brian Jennings, vice president of economic development at the BBA.
“This project provides access to jobs for the residents of Bessemer and may help backfill some displaced jobs as a result of COVID-19. It is a testament to the pro-business environment in Bessemer and the transportation structure within the Birmingham region,” Jennings added.
The bulk distribution facility will allow Lowe’s to provide quicker deliveries to customers across Alabama and the Southeast and will allow for next-day deliveries for a larger range of products housed within the facility.
“This project promotes Bessemer to a national audience as a place where e-commerce and distribution and logistics companies can thrive,” said Jeff Traywick, vice president of economic development at the BBA.
“Lowe’s is a great corporate partner and joins a stellar roster of other distributors on the Lakeshore corridor like Amazon, Carvana, Dollar General and FedEx,” Traywick added.
Shipments from the facility are expected to begin by fall 2021.
