"Georgia’s strength in logistics makes it a top choice for national retailers like PETCO," said Gov. Sonny Perdue, who issued a statement from his office in Atlanta. "Our robust transportation network and ready work force are a natural fit for distribution centers."

PETCO’s new distribution center, which will serve the southeastern U.S., will be located in a 506,240-square-foot space at Braselton Business Park in Barrow County.

"We are very pleased to be locating our new facility in Braselton in support of our mission to help pet parents take great care of their pets by providing them with our wide range of products and services," said Jim Myers, PETCO’s chief executive officer. "Our new distribution center will serve more than 200 PETCO stores across the southern part of the country and will be a great addition to the 15 existing PETCO stores already located throughout Georgia."

PETCO, based in San Diego, began consideration of the project with economic developers in Georgia in 2005.