Meijer Investing in New Operations Facility
Meijer, Inc. Will Invest $10,341,000 in a New Facility
Fort Wayne, Ind. (June 7, 2012) — Meijer, Inc. plans to expand in the Fort Wayne market with the creation of a new operations facility to support its retail stores. This new facility will occupy approximately 45,000 square feet. The City of Fort Wayne, WorkOne Northeast and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation have put together an incentive package worth $1.2 million for Meijer, which will be phased in over a period of ten years.
“We are pleased to continue to invest in the Fort Wayne community,” said Frank Guglielmi, director of public relations for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. “Meijer currently has three stores in the Fort Wayne area so we are familiar with the quality of the area and the workforce, which made the decision very logical for us.”
Meijer’s new facility, which will include more than 30 new full-time positions, will operate in conjunction with its retail stores and pharmacies and will use advanced technology and automation for processing merchandise on behalf of the 198 Meijer retail stores throughout the Midwest. Meijer expects to finalize the location of the facility within the next 30 days.
“I’m thrilled to see the creation of new jobs and yet another major investment in our community. When outstanding companies like Meijer make these commitments, it tells me the business community sees that Fort Wayne is indeed, a City built for success,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “As a regional hub, I know we will continue to have a long-standing and successful relationship with Meijer.”
The City of Fort Wayne’s community development staff will make the initial presentation of the Meijer investment to City Council on June 19 for the approval of its real and personal property tax phase-ins.
Meijer, Inc.
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 198 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As a pioneer of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
The Alliance
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance began in 2000 as the lead organization for economic development activities throughout the county. We are a not-for-profit organization supported by Allen County, the City of Fort Wayne, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. The Alliances goal is to further the base employment of Allen County through business retention, expansion and attraction projects. To learn more about the Alliance, visit www.theallianceonline.com.
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