Walmart Plans $1.3 Billion Investment in Georgia to Build Distribution Center
en.Wedoany.com Reported - Walmart plans to invest $1.3 billion in a new automated distribution center in Carnesville, Georgia, which is expected to create 1,000 jobs.
The distribution center will span 1.5 million square feet and will be located at the Franklin 85 Logistics Center in Franklin County, approximately 85 miles northeast of Atlanta. According to an announcement from the office of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, construction is expected to begin in late 2026. Walmart did not disclose when the center is expected to become operational, nor did it reveal which products will be handled at the facility or which regions of the United States it will serve.
The Carnesville project will become part of Walmart's next-generation distribution center network, which uses automation technology to store, pick, pack, and ship online orders. Walmart positions such centers near major markets to expand the reach of same-day and next-day delivery. The company did not disclose details on the planned automation systems for the Carnesville facility, nor did it specify how the $1.3 billion investment will be allocated between construction and equipment.
Karisa Sprague, Walmart's senior vice president of U.S. supply chain, said that as customer expectations continue to evolve, investments like the new distribution center in Carnesville help deliver the speed, convenience, and reliability customers depend on. She said the company is excited to join the Carnesville community and create meaningful career opportunities where employees can grow and build their futures with Walmart. Barat Smith, Walmart's vice president of e-commerce, confirmed the project on LinkedIn and stated that the company expects to begin recruiting for positions such as general manager, operations director, and assistant general manager next year.
Walmart currently operates 209 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs in Georgia, along with 11 supply chain facilities, employing more than 65,300 people across the state. According to data from the governor's office, Walmart purchased more than $26.2 billion from Georgia suppliers in fiscal year 2025, with related spending supporting more than 167,600 supplier jobs. The project is being facilitated jointly by the Franklin County Industrial Building Authority, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia EMC, and Georgia Quick Start.
This is the latest move in Walmart's expansion of its distribution and logistics operations. Just in September, Walmart added Dunkin' to its restaurant delivery service. The service will first launch at 150 Dunkin' locations inside Walmart stores, then expand to most of Dunkin's 10,000 U.S. locations. Additionally, Walmart is considering building a 1.5 million-square-foot distribution center in Wallkill, New York. Submitted project plans show the facility would accommodate more than 1,000 trucks and roughly 1,500 employees. In June, Walmart launched Walmart+ in Canada, marking the first expansion of the membership program outside the United States. The Canadian version includes same-day grocery delivery and free shipping.
