Kroger expands in central Indiana to create 3,400-plus jobs

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kroger will build 11 new stores and expand or remodel 22 others in a $465 million central Indiana expansion that will create 3,440 permanent jobs plus construction jobs.

A four-year strategic plan that Kroger announced Wednesday includes new stores in Franklin, Greenwood, Indianapolis and Zionsville and expansions in Carmel, Greenwood and Westfield. The Cincinnati-based grocer also says it will expand its Simple Truth natural and organic food offerings.

The Kroger moves comes amid the expansion of several competitors in the central Indiana grocery market, including Fresh Thyme, which also has opened a store in Fort Wayne.

Kroger over the past six years also has invested $125 million and 500 new jobs in the Fort Wayne area and $40 million and 300 jobs in the Bloomington area.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/eb59412c2c634032a31c6ed8fc33a9bd/kroger-expands-central-indiana-create-3400-plus-jobs

---

I wonder if this got delayed until after Indiana changed it's mind about rights (or wrongs) a few weeks ago?

[Skittles]

1. love Kroger

they just need to keep out the gun humping cowards

[Sherman A1]

2. K&R

Thanks for posting

[Jokerman]

3. They're going after the holes left by Marsh Supermarkets.

There used to be 3 Marsh stores within a few miles of where I live, but that has dropped to one in the last year. The remaining store is sadly under stocked.

[murielm99]

4. Indiana is a right to work state,

isn't it? Will they be paying union scale wages?

[Omaha Steve]

6. I'm sure they will try to organize the stores

Kroger stores in the Omaha area are not unionized. They do pay and act like a union store to keep the unions out. They have the standard anti-union talks with new employees etc.

There are no unionized grocery stores in the Omaha area. Because many of the Kroger stores are unionized in other areas, Marta and I shop at Kroger ever since unionized Albertson's left the area in 2004.

Kroger is in a fight with non-union low pay Wal-Mart, Target, & others.

Safeway left the area in the early 80's. The son of a Omaha Safeway union butcher grew up to be a multi-millionaire that is a solid R. He was embarrassed by the SEC in some stock trades a couple years ago.

OS

[No Vested Interest]

8. In SW Ohio, where Kroger headquarters are located,

the stores are unionized. Kroger dominates the market, as it does in so many areas of the country now.

My son formerly worked for Kroger; he now works for the new Fresh Thyme, which is expanding in this area. I believe Fresh Thyme's headquarters are in Indianapolis. I understand Fresh Thyme is backed by Meijer.

[Judi Lynn]

5. K & R. n/t

[msongs]

7. will the new workers all be here on h1B visas? nt