300 jobs expected at NLR Dollar General distribution facility

Dollar General announced last July that it would build a $140 million warehouse distribution center in North Little Rock, confirming on Wednesday (Aug. 9) it expects to employ 300 workers locally.

Dollar General CEO Jeff Owen joined Little Rock and North Little Rock economic leaders and Gov. Sarah Sanders to make the announcement.

Owen said the facility in North Little Rock would be operational next year. When it was first announced a year ago, Dollar General also unveiled plans for major distribution hubs in Colorado and Oregon as part of a $480 million expansion.

Owen said Dollar General employs 4,700 Arkansans in 550 stores across the state.

Although not a major grocery retailer, the discount chain announced last year it would offer produce options in Central Arkansas stores in areas where “food deserts” exist. Owen said 12 stores are now carrying fresh produce and it plans to expand that number to 5,000 across its footprint as a result of the pilot project in Arkansas.

Gov. Sanders thanked Dollar General for its commitment to expanding in Arkansas and noted that the North Little Rock facility will be at the center of Dollar General’s national supply chain.

The North Little Rock warehouse will encompass 1 million sq. ft. on 52 acres and be serviced by the company’s in-house freight division that launched in 2016 and currently utilizes 950 tractors and drivers. The distribution center will also be a “dual facility,” meaning it will service the traditional Dollar General merchandise as well as a fresh supply chain network.