NC Pet Food Manufacturer Announces $55 Million Expansion

Chewy, an online pet supply retailer, has selected Rowan County for its new fulfillment center, creating 1,200 new jobs and investing $55 million, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will locate in Salisbury, N.C.   

“Chewy selected North Carolina because from our infrastructure to our workforce, we have everything businesses need to succeed,” Gov. Cooper said. “These new jobs will make a positive impact on Rowan County and the surrounding area.”  

Founded in 2011, Chewy is a leading online retailer of pet food and supplies in the U.S. The e-commerce company offers customers the expertise and service of a local pet store with the convenience of online shopping. The company is dedicated to 24/7 customer service, the development of cutting-edge technology to enhance the user experience, and commitment to sourcing high quality products. Chewy is dually headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida and Boston, Massachusetts, with customer service centers in Dallas, Texas and Hollywood, Florida and eight fulfillment centers around the country.

“We’re excited to expand Chewy’s fulfillment operations to North Carolina, our first in the state and ninth in the country,” said Pete Krilles, Vice President, Corporate Real Estate and Facilities for Chewy, Inc. “We greatly appreciate the partnership with the City of Salisbury, Rowan County, the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission, North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. We look forward to making a positive economic contribution to the region with the creation of 1,200 new jobs. In addition to job creation, our new fulfillment center will enhance our delivery network across the southeastern United States, allowing us to better service Chewy customers with even faster delivery times.”  

“Companies like Chewy will find success in North Carolina because we have a strong workforce and desirable business climate,” said Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland. “Pair that with our location and quality of life and you’ve got a winning formula.”

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (EDPNC) were instrumental in supporting the company’s expansion decision.  

A performance-based grant of $166,650 from the One North Carolina Fund will support the creation of 150 of the new jobs, facilitating Chewy’s establishment of its new facility in North Carolina. The One N.C. Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chewy to Rowan County and to help this growing company expand and prosper,” said North Carolina Senator Carl Ford.  

“This truly is a great day for Rowan County!” said N.C. Representative Harry Warren.  “The jobs generated by this project will be of great benefit to the residents and surrounding counties. I commend everyone who worked together to bring this to Rowan County.”

In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Rowan County Commissioners, Rowan EDC, Centralina Workforce Development Board, Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy.