It’s thundering in Pearl River, but it’s not coming from any storm.

Hundreds of trucks carrying half a million yards-worth of fill are rumbling down the streets of the tiny town to construct a 20-acre, 900,000-square-foot building on a 65-acre site.

It might sound like a space station or another Superdome, but it’s actually the newest and largest development under construction in St. Tammany, and it’s finally begun.

The 65-acre site that will house the 900,000-square-foot Rooms To Go distribution center has been cleared with the fill foundation currently being laid.

Once complete, the $45 million Rooms To Go distribution/retail center at 63295 Old Military Road will likely be the beefiest structure in the area.

Currently, Louisiana has four Rooms To Go showrooms scattered throughout the state in Baton Rouge, Metairie, Gretna and Covington.

This newest facility will serve as a distribution center for those four structures, ultimately enabling the furniture company to provide next-day delivery to Louisiana and other Gulf Coast customers thanks to the vast inventory that will be held at distribution center.

Superintendent Dennis Steele with White-Spunner Construction, general contractor chosen for the development, said the facility will also boast a 40,000-square-foot in-house showroom of its own that will serve as a retail center for eastern St. Tammany.

After more than a year of negotiations with the town, the Tampa, Fla.-based company, considered the top-selling furniture store in the nation, came to agreement to purchase the site early this year.

Dirt began moving soon after in July 9, and nearly a year later in August, Steele said they expect most of the construction to be completed and the company to begin stocking she facility with merchandise.

“So far everything’s been running smoothly, and we haven’t had many setbacks from the weather,” site superintendent Jess Bowling said.

The structure is planned to be 520 feet wide and 1,650 feet long.

With such a huge addition to the tiny town, Mayor James Lavigne and town officials began preparation work to support the huge structure by upgrading the town’s sewer and water systems.

A new fire tower is also in the works.

Headaches from the construction are inevitable, but the positive effect of the venture far outweighs the negative, Lavigne said.

When complete, the facility will employ nearly 400 people.

With that many employees in Pearl River, Lavigne said the facility will likely become a catalyst for more growth in the town.

“People need places to eat and stay,” he said, adding they are currently entertaining talks from Burger King and Waffle House.

Recently, the town of 2,500 experienced a growth spurt with the opening of several businesses, including McDonald’s, Sonic and its first full-size grocery.

Lavigne expects the growth to continue and is looking forward to the added tax revenue.