AutoZone has selected Chowchilla to build its first Northern California distribution center. Screengrab via an AutoZone distribution center video

Chowchilla is getting ready to get in the zone — AutoZone.

The city is hosting a groundbreaking Aug. 19 at 11:30 a.m. for the Northern California distribution center for AutoZone, to be built at 24799 Chowchilla  Blvd.

It will be located near Highway 99 in the Chowchilla Industrial Park, which totals nearly 3,000 acres, said Chowchilla City Administrator Rod Pruett.

The $150 million project is expected to create 300 full-time jobs for the Tennessee-based company, which has more than 6,000 U.S. stores — 640 in California alone. The 540,000 square-foot facility should be operational by the end of 2023, according to a news release.

“The community is very excited to see this project begin,” said Chowchilla Mayor John Chavez in a statement. “We often hear of potential projects with hopes of coming true; seeing this project in motion is a great feeling.”

“Chowchilla deserves this success; this is a great achievement for our community to celebrate.”

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