Mississippi Development Authority officials Thursday morning announced that the nation’s largest discount retailer Walmart is to build a new fulfillment center in Olive Branch and will add 250 jobs to the community. A news release said the center would support Walmart’s increasing supply chain network and e-Commerce business. The project is a $90 million corporate investment and will create 250 jobs.
Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams confirmed this morning the center is being constructed on Alexander Road south of Stateline Road.
“Olive Branch is excited about Walmart’s investment in our city and looks forward to a continued positive partnership,” Adams said. “Hundreds of employees from our area teaming with Walmart to successfully operate this new fulfillment center speaks volumes about Olive Branch’s workforce potential and amenities. Not only does the local economy benefit, but the supply chain of the United States is strengthened by this partnership.”
According to the MDA information, the new fulfillment center will be more than one million square feet in size and will store merchandise that is picked, packed and shipped directly to customers.
Walmart currently operates two distribution centers in Mississippi, both of which are focused on receiving, storing and distributing merchandise to Walmart stores. The new fulfillment center is part of a broader initiative by Walmart to add more capacity into its supply chain as the retailer prepares for future growth.
“The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors is excited about Walmart’s $90 million investment in DeSoto County and its workforce,” said County Supervisors Board President Michael Lee. “These good-paying jobs will allow people to live and work in DeSoto County for generations to come.”
The Mississippi Development Authority certified Walmart for the Advantage Jobs Rebate Program, which is designated for eligible businesses that create new jobs exceeding the average annual wage of the state or county in which the company locates or expands. DeSoto County and the city of Olive Branch also are assisting with the project.
“This significant investment by Walmart – in both a new fulfillment center and in DeSoto County’s workforce – is important to the overall economy of the region and the entire state,” said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. “Hundreds of new employees at the Olive Branch fulfillment center will strengthen the local tax base, building stronger communities throughout the region that will benefit generations of Mississippians to come.”
Reeves later tweeted about the Walmart center addition, touting the growth in DeSoto County and possibly hinting of more to follow.
The economic growth in DeSoto County continues! Today, by $90 million in additional capital investment and 250 new, good-paying jobs.
Since becoming governor, DeSoto alone has seen over $540 million in new capital investment & over 1,300 jobs created.
Walmart operates 86 retail stores and employs more than 25,000 workers in Mississippi. “Walmart is proud to welcome its newest fulfillment center to the city of Olive Branch as we continue to grow our national supply chain network and eCommerce capabilities in the mid-South,” said Walmart Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Operations Steve Miller. “The new facility will store millions of items from Walmart’s everyday low-priced merchandise, which will be ready to be shipped directly to customers.”
