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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Meijer Stores To Open $10.3 Million Technologically-advanced Operations Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana

06/11/2012
Meijer Stores, a supermarket chain with stores throughout the Midwest, plans to open a 45,000-square-foot technologically-advanced operations center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, initially creating an estimated 36 new jobs.

The Michigan-based company, which currently has more than 7,500 employees in Indiana, plans to begin hiring additional warehouse, logistics and information technology associates to coincide with the facility's opening next year.

Meijer's new facility will operate in conjunction with its retail stores and pharmacies. The operations center will utilize 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.

"We're delighted with Meijer's decision to locate its newest facility here in the Hoosier State," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "At the heart of the nation, Indiana's robust infrastructure and low-tax policies give businesses the upper hand."

"With 28 stores in Indiana and a manufacturing complex, Meijer currently has a significant presence in the state of Indiana," said Frank Guglielmi, director of public relations for Meijer. "We are pleased to continue to invest in the Fort Wayne community," Guglielmi added. "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."

According to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, The City of Fort Wayne, WorkOne Northeast and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation put together an incentive package worth $1.2 million over ten years for Meijer, which will invest $10.3 million its new facility.

As part of its incentive package the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Meijer Stores up to $370,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $30,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. In addition, Fort Wayne will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance.

"I'm thrilled to see the creation of new jobs and yet another major investment in our community," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "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.

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