RALEIGH – Restaurant chain Chick-fil-A will build a $52 million distribution center and create some 160 jobs after winning approval for a package of state tax incentives Tuesday morning.

Called “Project Thunder” by the NC Department of Commerce, North Carolina won out over Ohio in the company’s site selection process.

Jobs will pay an average wage of more than $62,000.

“Building Chick-fil-A Supply’s next distribution center in North Carolina allows us to support the incredible growth of the area,” said Josh Grote, senior director of Chick-fil-A Supply. “Specifically, Mebane provides great access to talent and is in close proximity to major transit routes, enabling us to best serve our customers: Chick-fil-A franchised Operators, licensees, and their teams.”

The center will cover 182,000 square feet and include space for cold storage as well as vehicle maintenance.

“North Carolina attracts the nation’s most well-known brands because of our strong workforce and steady leadership, even in a crisis,” said Governor Roy Cooper in the announcement. “Alamance County is the right location with the right infrastructure to make Chick-Fil-A’s new approach to the restaurant’s supply chain a success.”

State tax incentives include a Job Development Investment Grant of more than $1.5 million plus another $224,000 in community college training.

The incentives were approved by the NC Economic Investment Committee.

The town of Mebane and other local sources have promised in excess of $1 million in incentives as well, according to the Department of Commerce.

Chick-fil-A normally uses third-party distributors. This center will service 175 restaurants across the southeast, Commerce noted.