United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), Providence, R.I., announced plans to build a $37.8 million distribution center in Prescott, Wis., a project expected to create up to 314 jobs over three years. The 300,000-square-foot facility, located about 30 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, will be the company's second distribution center in Wisconsin.

Construction on the Prescott facility is expected to begin in May, and will take about one year to complete. UNFI will also open a 425,000-square-foot distribution center and warehouse this spring in Sturtevant, Wis., located at the southwest corner of Highway H and Highway 11.

ESI Group USA, Hartland, Wis., will design and construct the new center. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy will assist with power access, capacity and redundancy.

As part of its commitment to green initiatives, UNFI plans to pursue LEED certification for this distribution facility once operations commence.