Governor Nathan Deal Wednesday joined representatives of Lowe’s to break ground in Floyd County for a new regional distribution center. Lowe’s will create 600 jobs within three years and invest $125 million in the project, slated for completion in 2013.

“Georgia’s logistics and workforce advantages help make us exactly the right place for Lowe’s to be,” said Deal. “Companies draw from their past experiences when deciding where to locate, so I’m pleased Lowe’s experiences with its other facilities here have been positive and helped contribute to its success throughout the Southeast.”

The 1.4-million-square-foot facility will be located on 140 acres in the North Floyd Industrial Park. The new distribution center, which will service Lowe’s stores in western Georgia, northern Florida and Alabama, joins Lowe’s three other warehousing/distribution facilities in Georgia, one in Valdosta, one in Palmetto and one in Savannah.

The distribution center expects to begin operating in early 2013, and the company will announce hiring plans in the near future.

Georgia's jobless rate is 10.1 percent, above the national average of 9.1 percent.

Contributors: Governor's Office

Tags: economy, jobs, unemployment, northwest Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal, Lowe's, distribution center