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Home Depot brings regional distribution center to Warren

Posted By: Macomb Daily on February 23, 2023.  For more information, please click here to read the source article.

Home Depot is constructing a regional distribution center in Warren at the site of the former General Motors Transmission plant at Nine Mile and Mound roads.

The new facility, announced Thursday by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, will provide same-day and next-day delivery to customers across the Midwest. The Home Depot distribution center is part of a larger project that will include the demolition of the existing structures, site and utility infrastructure development and 1.4 million square feet of new industrial space that will house multiple tenants.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $6.1 million and create around 80 jobs, supported by a $480,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in Ohio.

“This is another great plus for Warren residents that a property that is not currently being used will be fixed up and will house a major distribution center for Home Depot,” said Warren Mayor James Fouts. “I think it shows that Warren is a good destination in which people can invest.”

Fouts credited the city’s Director of Community, Economic, and Downtown Development Director Tom Bommarito with working to bring more commerce to the city.

“Home Depot did a search of the entire Midwest and chose Warren for its newest, highest tech, distribution center,” said Bommarito. “It is very exciting.”

Most associates in the new distribution center will prepare large or bulk items like lumber for shipping to stores and customers. The jobs offer consistent schedules and competitive pay, and The Home Depot provides growth and promotional opportunities, training programs, paid internships, and tuition reimbursement to its associates.

“Macomb County is very pleased to see this very large and recently idled corner in the city of Warren redeveloped for a new use so quickly,” said Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development Director Vicki Rowinski. “It goes to show that Macomb County’s busy-friendly ecosystem is working as it should.”

Warren Transmission stopped automotive production in 2019, but remained open in 2020 and manufactured face shields to help protect workers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. General Motors announced in Dec. 2021 it would sell the 114-acre property to Northpoint Development. In early 2022, it was announced the old plant would be demolished to make way for new development.

“We have been working on that for quite some time with Warren and Northpoint Development for the brownfield cleanup,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “This is a great repurposing of the former industrial property.”

The new Home Depot distribution center adds more commerce to the south Warren stretch of Mound Road where the Stellantis Truck Plant is located. City officials believe the addition of the Home Depot distribution center could help secure state or federal funding for a rebuild of Mound Road that mirrors the Innovate Mound project that includes the area from M-53 to I-696 but not the southern stretch of the highway from I-696 to Eight Mile Road.

“It certainly doesn’t hurt and it does enhance the idea that this is a heavy commerce area which should make a compelling reason that area of Mound Road is deserving of funding,” said Fouts.

The city of Warren has offered staff assistance in support of the project. Interested applicants can visit careers.homedepot.com for more information.

“This important project will be a huge boost to Southeast Michigan and our region, especially for the city of Warren and the communities in the south end of the city,” said 14th District State Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit). “From talking with residents, I know that one of their biggest concerns are jobs and the economy.

“This is great news for Warren and the surrounding businesses in the area.”

McKinney said he understands that Mound Road had to be reconstructed in phases, but said he wants to work to get funding for the southern stretch of the thoroughfare and even extending into the portion of his district in Wayne County to accommodate truck traffic from the new distribution center.

“I understand why this was done the way it was, but the perception for people in the southern part of the county and particularly in Warren is that they don’t matter,” said McKinney. “I just want to make sure that we continue to draw investment and business to this area and having good roads is a piece of that.”

The Home Depot’s investment is the most recent example of large retailers choosing to establish distribution centers in Michigan due to the state’s prime supply chain assets. In June 2017, Kroger announced plans to invest $25 million to build a new dry goods distribution center off 23 Mile Road near Gratiot Avenue in Chesterfield Township. That project was supported by a $2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Hackel said Macomb County’s talent pool and recent rebound in manufacturing are helping to draw businesses.

“Economists tell me that while we are not recession proof, we will not suffer as severely as some other areas,” said Hackel. “Seeing these types of investments in the county is a good sign because these companies are forecasting and they are not going to spend millions of dollars if they do not see something positive in the forecast themselves.

“That is a very encouraging sign to us.”

The governor said these types of projects help to continue positive economic momentum in Michigan.

“Recently, I introduced my budget proposal, which included investments in regional economic development, our bipartisan economic development fund, and other workforce and community programs to bring jobs and resources to communities in Michigan,” said Whitmer. “Together, we’ll keep supporting our talented manufacturing workforce and innovative businesses so they can thrive and grow in Michigan.”

State Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) said today’s announcement from Home Depot shows Michigan is invigorated.

“Home Depot’s investment in Macomb will create good-paying jobs and boost our local economy,” said Shannon. “I couldn’t be more proud that we have received these investments, which will ensure the wellness and success of Macomb County’s future.”