KANSAS CITY, Mo. — CVS Health plans to build a new distribution center in Kansas City, Mo., to serve CVS Pharmacy locations in the region.

The Kansas City Area Development Council said Wednesday that the 762,000-square-foot CVS distribution center will be located at 108th Street and North Congress in Skyport Industrial Park. The 71-acre facility, near Kansas City International Airport and Interstate 29, will support the service and fulfillment needs of more than 370 CVS Pharmacy stores across the Midwest.

“The key combination of a high-quality workforce and a centralized location will support the growing needs of our customers throughout the Midwest and beyond,” Kevin Hourican, executive vice president of pharmacy services and supply chain at CVS Health, said in a statement. “As a result of our new Midwest distribution center, our delivery drivers will drive hundreds of thousands fewer miles each year to deliver product to our stores, significantly reducing carbon emissions and improving highway safety.”

Plans call for CVS to break ground on the site in January and immediately start construction, with the distribution center expected to begin operations in 2018.

“Kansas City continues to be recognized as a signature location for regional and national distribution due to our central location and quality workforce,” stated Tim Cowden, president and chief executive officer of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “We are thrilled that CVS Pharmacy has chosen the KC region for its new Midwest distribution center and look forward to its success.”

The CVS Kansas City distribution center is expected to create more than 360 new jobs, plus up to 100 additional jobs that will be outsourced to local businesses.

“Missouri recently reached record employment, with more folks back at work in our state than ever before,” commented Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said. “Today’s announcement by CVS Pharmacy to create 360 new jobs in Kansas City will continue this momentum and is great news for area families. Once again, Missouri has shown the nation that we are open for business with a strong and growing economy.”

CVS Health currently owns 10 distribution centers, located in Alabama, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The company leases another 12 distribution facilities located in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Brazil. Overall, its retail business unit operates more than 9,600 CVS Pharmacy locations.