TJX, which also owns such off-brand retailers as Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, hopes to begin work on the massive 800,000-sf building by January, with completion slated for next autumn. Along with the stand-alone building, the 68-acre parcel will also support parking for 500 vehicles and 350 truck trailers.

Company spokeswoman Sherry Lang says the facility will consolidate Homegoods wares that are currently scattered in various company distribution centers throughout the region, none of which are dedicated solely to that operation. While not the company's largest distribution center, Lang says the Freetown property "will be on the upper end." Homegoods also operates in Florida, the Midwest and California.

"Homegoods is a rapidly growing, successful division of our company," says Lang. After beginning 2,000 with 51 Homegoods, TJX plans to add 30 stores both this year and next, and eventually sees it as a 500-store operation. The Freetown complex will supply Homegoods throughout New England, although Lang could not provide a precise number of stores that will be served. She was also unable to estimate the number of jobs that will be generated by the plant, except to say she believes it is "a substantial" number.