ANDERSON -- A new distribution center is one step closer to completion in Anderson County.

Gov. Mark Sanford was on hand as Walgreens and Anderson County officials broke ground on a 700,000-square foot distribution center in the Alliance Industrial Park near the intersection of Interstate 85 and Highway 81.

"We have a real distribution cluster that's developing in this area of South Carolina. Whether it's with this or Walmart, or a range of different folks choosing to make this area a distribution hub, hopefully with more additions in the months and years to come," Sanford said.

Walgreens officials have said that when the $175 million center opens in 2007, they expect to employ about 450 people, with a possible peak employment of 600.

Anderson County's unemployment rate in May was 5.9 percent, down from 6.4 percent in April.

Anderson County economic development officials said the distribution center is one of the largest projects in the county.

Walgreens has 4,300 stores in 44 states and plans to open two in Anderson by the end of the year.

The new distribution center will serve 250 stores in eight Southeast and mid-Atlantic states.

"If you go into a Walgreens store, 95 percent of the stuff will found here, from cosmetics to pain and sleep, all the pharmacy drugs, candy bars, about 25,000 different items," Walgreens Vice President of Distribution Randy Lewis said.

WYFF News 4's Kisha Foster will have more on this story at 5 and 6 p.m.

Previous Stories:

• January 7, 2004: It's Official: Walgreens To Call Anderson Home
• January 6, 2004: Walgreens Distribution Center Coming To Anderson County