Hickory plant to expand

Hickory, N.C. — Merchants Distributors Inc. will add 200 jobs at its distribution center in Hickory, Gov. Mike Easley announced Thursday.

More than 1,500 people work at the Caldwell County facility. The company supplies goods to more than 850 customers in 10 states from Ohio to Florida. The expansion, which will begin in 2009, will allow the company to meet growing customer needs.

Salaries for the new jobs will average $51,123.

The expansion is funded in part by a Job Development Investment Grant from the state’s Economic Investment Committee. If the company meets its goal for job creation and retains those jobs for 10 years, it would accrue an almost $3 million benefit.