McLane Co. Inc., the Texas-based supply chain services company, said it is building a 400,000-square-foot distribution center on Republic’s west side that would employ about 400 people, according to the Springfield Business Journal.

McLane agreed to build the facility on 132 acres in Republic, Mo. It is buying the property from Drury University for an undisclosed amount in a transaction that should close in a few weeks, the report said.

McLane officials have applied for the Missouri Quality Jobs Program, which extends tax credits to companies that create jobs with health benefits and salaries at or above the average wage in their respective counties. The average salary for McLane employees will be $34,000, said Republic City Administrator Jim Krischke.

McLane’s corporate director of logistics, Cortney Hunt, said the company rarely builds more than a couple distribution centers each year. The newest facility opened last year in Jessup, Penn., he said.

Hunt said the distribution center–expected to open in the third quarter of 2010–would serve grocery stores and restaurants in addition to convenience stores in Missouri and surrounding states. Wal-Mart and 7-Eleven are among McLane’s clients in the market.