Target opening distribution center in western NC

NEWTON, N.C. — Target Corp. is officially opening its new distribution center in western North Carolina.

Officials will gather Tuesday morning for a ribbon-cutting at the facility in Newton. Target held a job fair in March, and officials have said the site will employ around 400 workers. More may be added later.

The region has been decimated in recent years by job losses, particularly in textile and furniture industries. The unemployment rate in Catawba County was 15.5 percent in June.

The distribution center will serve Target stores in northern North Carolina and parts of Virginia. Minneapolis-based Target has 1,719 stores in 49 states.

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