Walmart plans to build a nearly 600,000-square-foot distribution center next to another that, combined, will exceed one million square feet. The plans call for the construction of a second warehouse building that would be 599,006 square feet and would be built in front of, to the west and right of, the existing Walmart distribution center, which is 460,000 square feet, at 2837 Sen. Ralph Scott Parkway.

The first facility, which opened in 2016, was planned for perishable goods, such as frozen foods and produce. That phase of development was estimated to cost $100 million and generate about 450 new jobs.

The second phase called for construction of a distribution center for dry goods, which was also estimated to generate another 450 jobs. The Alamance News reports that the company is scheduled to break ground on the second distribution center in June and that 80 percent of the operations will be automated.

Just two weeks ago, Walmart touted that it was opening dozens of new Walmart Health centers. The company has now announced that it will shutter all of them. In a release, the company said, “We determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue.”

The company opened its first one in 2019 and has 51 nationwide, 17 in Georgia, nearly all in small—to midsize communities. The stores are all attached to a currently operating Walmart store. As far as workers go:

• All associates are eligible to transfer to any other Walmart or Sam’s Club location.
• All associates will be paid for 90 days, unless they transfer to another location during that time or leave the company.
• After 90 days, if they do not transfer or leave, eligible associates will receive severance benefits.

The company will continue to operate 4,600 Pharmacies and more than 3,000 Vision Centers nationwide.

Walmart plans to own and operate a milk processing facility in Valdosta, Georgia. The new facility will cost $350 million to build. The company will break ground later this year and create nearly 400 Walmart jobs in the Valdosta community. The plant will produce dairy products that will be distributed to 750 Walmart and Sam’s Clubs stores in the region. The ingredients will be sourced from local farmers.

It’s the second milk processing plant Walmart has built, after one that opened in 2018 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, helping it control production of one of the most price-sensitive grocery commodities. The company previously bought all its milk from other dairy companies.

The retail giant is following the lead of other large grocers such as Kroger, which has long run its own dairies.