Walmart Planning Major Hancock County Distribution Center

(photo courtesy of Walmart)

The nation’s largest retailer has confirmed plans for a new distribution facility in Hancock County. According to the Greenfield Daily Reporter, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) plans to invest more than $600 million in the 2.2 million-square-foot facility and create approximately 1,000 jobs.

Hancock Economic Development Council Executive Director Randy Sorrell tells the publication the facility, to be located near Indianapolis Regional Airport, will be Walmart’s largest distribution center in the country.

Sorrell says the company is seeking more than $600 million in tax abatements for the project, for which the Hancock County Council gave initial approval this week. The council has a public hearing and final vote set for August 12.

“It’s not really fathomable; it’s beyond description,” Sorrell told the Daily Reporter. “It’s one of those things that’s going to take a three-year buildout, and there’s just so many moving parts. They’re just doing the next step here. It’s not official that they’re coming, but we took the next step. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Walmart says construction on the facility could begin as early as this September.

You can read more on the project from the Daily Reporter by clicking here.