Aldi starts building divisional headquarters in Rosenberg Illinois-based grocer plans to open 650,000-square-foot distribution center and divisional headquarters in early 2016

This rendering shows what the completed Aldi distribution center in Rosenberg will look like when it is completed in early 2016.This rendering shows what the completed Aldi distribution center in Rosenberg will look like when it is completed in early 2016. less This rendering shows what the completed Aldi distribution center in Rosenberg will look like when it is completed in early 2016.This rendering shows what the completed Aldi distribution center in Rosenberg will ... more Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Aldi starts building divisional headquarters in Rosenberg 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Don't look now, but a new grocery retailer is quickly making its presence known in the greater Houston area, and creating a lot of new jobs in the process.

Since opening its first nine stores in the Houston area in April 2013, Aldi has continued to work toward its three-year goal of 30 stores. On May 1, it not only opened a grocery store in Rosenberg, its 17th, but also broke ground on a 650,000-square-foot distribution center and divisional headquarters.

"We are excited that Aldi has selected Rosenberg for a distribution center and divisional headquarters," said Rosenberg Mayor Vincent Morales. "We welcome them to the community, and thank them for their investment in Rosenberg."

"We look forward to witnessing Aldi's success in Rosenberg and the Houston metropolitan market, and to working with them as a corporate partner in the years ahead," Morales added.

The new distribution center and divisional headquarters, which will add about 150 jobs and a capital expenditure investment of more than $60 million to the local economy, will be located at 777 U.S. 90A, just west of Rude Road.

The facility is anticipated to be valued at $44 million, with an additional $20 million in taxable inventory. It is expected to open in early 2016.

The new grocery, which opened May 1 at 6450 Reading Road, offered customers samples of Aldi exclusive brands, tours of the new store and an on-site sweepstakes for a chance to win Aldi gift certificates.

"Rosenberg has been a fantastic city to work with. From the start, they have done a great job of creating that public-private partnership," said Karla Waddleton, Rosenberg division vice president for Aldi. "We are pleased to bring our distribution center and division headquarters to Rosenberg to serve our growing presence in Houston."

Aldi began looking at the Houston market in 2011 for various key locations for stores and a potential distribution center.

In April 2013, Aldi entered the Houston market and expects to operate 30 stores by the end of 2015, bringing approximately 400 jobs and more than $125 million to the Houston metro area.

Illinois-based Aldi Inc., which has locations in 28 states and 16 European countries, recently launched a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation.

"The new distribution center and headquarters will allow us to not only serve the stores in the Houston metropolitan area; ultimately that distribution center will service 80 to 100 stores," Waddleton said.

Meanwhile, the move to the Rosenberg area is something that local leaders have been looking forward to for nearly a year.

On Sept. 3, the city council approved a 10-year tax abatement on the building and equipment.

In addition to the tax abatement, the RDC approved a $500,000 reimbursement for infrastructure and development costs once the facility is completed, and agreed to reimburse a portion of sales tax collected on eligible construction materials.

"The impact of the new Aldi facility is not limited just to the city of Rosenberg," said Rosenberg economic development director Matt Fielder.

"It will also positively impact the business community at large, Lamar CISD, Fort Bend County, and neighboring communities," Fielder said.