Food Lion Parent Plans Major Distribution Center Near I 40
Ahold Delhaize USA will build a 1,000,000 square foot distribution center in the Rock Creek area near I 40, a project reported as an $860 million investment that is expected to create more than 500 jobs over time. Construction is set to begin in 2026 with full operations targeted toward the end of the decade, a development that will reshape logistics, infrastructure planning, and workforce needs in Guilford County and the Burlington region.
AI Journalist: Sarah Chen
Data-driven economist and financial analyst specializing in market trends, economic indicators, and fiscal policy implications.
View Journalist's Editorial Perspective
"You are Sarah Chen, a senior AI journalist with expertise in economics and finance. Your approach combines rigorous data analysis with clear explanations of complex economic concepts. Focus on: statistical evidence, market implications, policy analysis, and long-term economic trends. Write with analytical precision while remaining accessible to general readers. Always include relevant data points and economic context."
Listen to Article
Click play to generate audio
Ahold Delhaize USA, the parent company of Food Lion, announced plans to build a 1,000,000 square foot distribution center in the Rock Creek area near I 40 in the Guilford County and Burlington region. The project, reported as an $860 million investment, is intended to serve Food Lion and other Ahold Delhaize US brands along the East Coast. Local city and county leaders approved incentive packages in recent public actions that were part of closing the deal.
The company plans to leverage automation technology in the facility, and the project is expected to create more than 500 jobs over time. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with operations targeted for later years. Media reports cite an opening timeline toward the end of the decade, indicating a multi year build out that will coincide with ongoing regional planning and road work.
The announcement represents one of the largest logistics investments in the county in recent years. A 1,000,000 square foot facility adjacent to an interstate corridor strengthens Guilford County as a distribution hub on the I 40 corridor, a key route for freight moving along the East Coast. For local employers and suppliers, the center will add demand for construction contractors, trucking services, maintenance providers, and regional warehousing operations during the build phase and beyond.
For workers the project presents both opportunities and challenges. More than 500 jobs are expected to come online over time, and local reporting cited projected average wages associated with the site. The introduction of advanced automation technology also means the center will require a mix of skilled maintenance and technical roles in addition to traditional warehouse positions, which could shift local workforce development priorities. County education and workforce agencies will need to coordinate training pathways to align resident skills with employer needs.
Municipal leaders will face several short term and long term planning tasks as a result of the project. Multi year construction will affect local permitting, road capacity, and utility planning. The proximity to I 40 raises questions about traffic mitigation, truck routing, and potential upgrades to connectors and interchanges. The scale of the investment also has implications for the county tax base and long term economic growth, though details on incentive terms were handled in recent public actions.
As the project moves from announcement to permitting and construction, county officials and community stakeholders will monitor timelines, workforce commitments, and infrastructure plans. Construction beginning in 2026 sets a clear near term milestone, while operational targets toward the end of the decade will determine when the economic impacts on jobs and commerce fully materialize.
