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NEWTON, N.C. -- A new Target distribution center brings 500 jobs to Newton at a time when Catawba County's unemployment rate is 15 percent.
"This worked out just right for me," said Bradley Sain, who found himself unemployed earlier this year.
Sain was fortunate enough to get a job at the new distribution center off Highway 10 in Catawba County.
"This center means a great deal to Newton and the entire Catawba region," said Newton Mayor Robert Mullinax.
Today was the official grand opening of the center, marked with the ceremonial cutting of a red ribbon. But the center has been up and running since June.
In March, thousands of would-be employees came out for a job fair at the center. Sam Eggers was one of them.
"The hiring process was smooth," said Eggers who works as a mechanic at the new center. "Because of downsizing and plant closures and things, I was going to lose my job later this year. But the way things worked out, God's blessed me with a position here."
Officials say the state-of-the-art distribution center could eventually expand and employ as many as 1,000 people.
