FedEx to open distribution center near planned VinFast plant, will be hiring

NEW HILL – FedEx Ground has leased property on a new 338,000 square-foot distribution center located on Pea Ridge Road in New Hill.

That’s just down the road from the site of the $4 billion VinFast automotive assembly and electric battery plant announced last week at Triangle Innovation Point.

A statement from the company obtained by WRAL’s Ashley Talley notes that the new facility will employ both full-time and part-time workers. The company did not disclose additional specifics regarding the number of jobs or estimated wages.

Additionally, the facility will contract for package pickup and delivery services with service provider businesses, the statement notes. Those service provider businesses “that hire locally for driver, helper, manager and other positions,” the statement reads.

The facility is believed to be operational by “early 2023,” according to the statement from FedEx.

FedEx Ground chose the site due to “ease of access to major highways, proximity to customers’ distribution centers and a strong local community workforce for recruiting employees,” the statement notes.

The company is experiencing significant package volume, which it attributes to growth in e-commerce. FedEx is reportedly opening a distribution facility in Wilson with plans to hire some 200 workers, according to a Triangle Business Journal story published last month.

Report: FedEx to hire 200, open distribution facility in Wilson

Growth, expansion, and economic development

North Carolina’s economy is in growth mode, when it comes to economic development and expansion projects.

According to Chris Chung, the CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), there are 236 active projects as of April 1, 2022, which are considering sites in North Carolina.

That’s after the more than $7 billion and nearly 15,000 jobs expected from economic development projects announced in the state during the first quarter of 2021, said Chung.

Those 236 active projects represent a potential of 71,000 new jobs and $48 billion in new investment, Chung told WRAL TechWire. Not all of those will become “wins,” said Chung, but EDPNC is “actively promoting North Carolina as a business location.”

“And of course, big announcements like those that North Carolina has seen over the past year will no doubt lead other companies to include NC as a potential option,” said Chung. “Which also increases the number of deals in the pipeline.”