Cheney Brothers Inc., a Riviera Beach, Fla.-based a national broadline food distributor, announced plans to more than double the size of its Statesville, N.C., distribution facility, hiring 105 employees.

The $30 million project, assigned to A M King, Charlotte, N.C., will add 164,000 square feet, bringing the total building footprint to over 250,000 square feet.

 “Statesville had just the right climate for this expansion,” says Byron Russell, chairman and CEO. “The pro-business attitude of the leadership and the available workforce fortified the decision to select this facility for expansion.”

A M King is designing and building this sizeable expansion project, which will incorporate a state-of-the art penthouse refrigeration system zoned to support numerous interior temperature zones, robotic truck wash center, fueling station, guardhouse, new fire protection systems and a complex site-work package. The Keith Corp., a Charlotte, N.C.-based developer, is serving as program manager for the project.

The first phase of the expansion will include the construction of 164,000 square feet of refrigerated and freezer space, a new professional test kitchen, Cheney Express (will call) and an additional second floor for corporate offices, housing administration, accounting and sales. The warehouse will feature a 32-foot-high ceiling and boast multiple temperature zones. The additional 20 new dock doors will handle distribution needs for loading/unloading.

Site work will also include the moving of over 180,000 cubic yards of dirt to construct building pads and new auto and truck parking areas.

“We are excited to be a part of CBI’s growth in the region and building a first-class distribution center to serve new and existing clients,” says George Lehnerer, business unit leader for A M King. “The expansion will pose challenging aspects with site logistics, interior dry warehouse renovations and a new interior office mezzanine with office and a full commercial kitchen, all while keeping existing CBI operations underway.”

The estimated construction start date is first quarter of 2018, with completion slated later in 2018.