Ross Stores, a Fortune 500 retail chain, is planning to build a regional distribution center in Randleman, state officials announced Tuesday.
The warehouse will bring as many as 852 jobs to Randolph County by late in 2026, an investment listed at roughly $450 million.
The Randleman site — covering about 330 acres near N.C. 74 in the northwest corner of the city — will be the company’s ninth distribution center. The 1.7 million square-foot facility will handle warehousing, fulfillment and packing operations.
Ross Stores is a $20 billion company that operates two off-price chains including Ross Dress for Less, the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States.
“We are excited about the opportunity to build out a new distribution facility in North Carolina to support our growth initiatives over the long term,” said Rob Kummerer, executive vice president of supply chain for Ross Stores, in a statement. “We value the collaboration of the many state and local leaders, including … the officials in the city of Randleman and Randolph County who have been instrumental in bringing these plans to fruition.”
The Randleman location was picked over a competing site in South Carolina.
The news comes a week after reports that Graphic Packaging International will close its Randleman plant in July. That closure is expected to result in 65 lost jobs.
Based on information from the state, new jobs connected to the Ross Stores move could create a potential payroll impact of more than $39 million for the region each year.
Ross’ project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant awarded to Ross Dress For Less, Inc., which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier Tuesday. During the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.4 billion, state officials reported.
Ross’ JDIG agreement could also move as much as $845,700 into a fund that helps rural communities across the state attract business in the future, according to information from state officials. When companies select a site located in a Tier 2 county such as Randolph, their JDIG agreements move some of the new tax revenue into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account.
N.C. Rep. Brian Biggs and state Sens. David Craven Jr. and Amy Galey also released statements expressing excitement about the distribution center’s location.
Among the area partners with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were Randolph Community College, Randolph County, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation and the City of Randleman.
