Lowe's breaks ground in Canada

Mooresville-based Lowe's has launched its first venture outside the United States, breaking ground today on a store in Canada, the company said.

The store, located in Hamilton about 40 miles southwest of Toronto, is one of ten stores the company plans to open in Canada during the second half of 2007. Other locations are planned for Brantford, South Brampton and Toronto.

Each store is expected to employ about 175 people and represent an average investment of $18 million (U.S.), Lowe's said.

With sales of more than $43 billion, Lowe's is the is the nation's second-largest home improvement retailer. The company has 1,275 stores in 49 states.