ALDI U.S., the growing grocery retailer, announced plans today to construct a regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley to support the company’s growing footprint along the Gulf Coast.

The retailer purchased 160 acres in Loxley’s industrial and warehousing district, north of Interstate 10 exit 44. The 564,000-square-foot facility will bring about $100 million in capital investment and create 200 jobs in Baldwin County.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2021.

“We are eager for ALDI to expand its presence in our state,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “We’re proud to stand behind ALDI’s commitment to bringing value to the people of Alabama and the Gulf Coast region, and we welcome the company’s plans for a regional headquarters and distribution hub in Loxley that will create jobs for our hardworking citizens.”

The expansion will be the grocery retailer’s first step into Baldwin County, but not into Alabama. ALDI operates 30 stores across the state.

“We are ready to bring the ALDI difference to new markets in Alabama, like Baldwin County,” said Dan Gavin, ALDI’s vice president of real estate. “We’re ramping up our expansion plans to meet the growing demand along the Gulf Coast.”

Grocery retailer ALDI is investing $100 million to open a regional headquarters and distribution center in Baldwin County to accelerate its growth plans in the region. (ALDI)

Growth plans

Local officials welcomed the company’s plans.

“We are proud that ALDI has selected Loxley for this monumental investment,” said Loxley Mayor Richard Teal. “Bringing a regional headquarters is great for Loxley, Baldwin County and Alabama.”

The Loxley regional headquarters and distribution center will serve new ALDI stores in southern Alabama, Louisiana and throughout the Florida Panhandle. ALDI plans to open 70 new stores by the end of the year across its entire footprint, which puts the company on pace to become the third-largest U.S. grocer by store count by the end of 2022.

“ALDI’s new regional headquarters and distribution center will create new job opportunities for the Baldwin County workforce and contribute to our economy,” said Jeb Ball, Baldwin County commissioner.

“ALDI’s growth and success will contribute to overall economic health and help meet the needs of our growing population. We welcome them to Baldwin County,” he said.

ALDI plans to begin operations in Baldwin County by the end of 2022.

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.