Up to 800 jobs could be created with a proposed new distribution centre for retail chain Poundland.
The facility will be located on the South Lancs Industrial Estate in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, subject to planning approval, and will serve the company's North West network of shops.
David Molyneux, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for economy, said: "This is fantastic news for Wigan Borough and shows why we are a major player in the creation of a Northern Powerhouse.
"We are very pro-business at Wigan Council and have worked closely with the developer, db symmetry, and Poundland to ensure that the plans come to fruition.
"Major investments in the borough are crucial to the local economy and will enable our local residents to access good quality jobs and new opportunities."
He added: "This will be the largest single employment-creating application that we have dealt with since the authority was formed in 1974 and in my view would rank alongside Heinz coming to Wigan in the 1950s."
The Poundland site will cover more than 30,000 square metres on the former land of Georgia Pacific in Lockett Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield.
A planning application for the site has been lodged with the council and will be decided on a date to be set.
The development has the potential to create up to 800 jobs in the coming years, including skilled jobs both full-time and part-time as well as apprenticeships, said the council.