For Immediate Release: June 1, 2015 NEWS RELEASE KROGER CHOOSES BLUE ASH FOR NEW BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION CENTERS $46 Million Investment to Bring 649 Jobs to Greater Cincinnati BLUE ASH – JobsOhio President and Chief Investment Officer John Minor today announced that The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) chose the City of Blue Ash for its new business administration and distribution centers. The $46 million investment over five years will bring 649 new jobs in Kroger’s digital innovation, human resources recruiting and pharmacy customer service groups as well as logistics and distribution. “Kroger continues to innovate and invest to grow our business, and we are pleased to be able to do both in Ohio,” said Mike Schlotman, Kroger’s senior vice president and chief financial officer. “The most exciting thing about being a growing company is that as Kroger expands, so do the opportunities for our associates. We created nearly 25,000 new jobs last year, including 600 here in the Cincinnati area. Our investments in Blue Ash will create more jobs and opportunity and help us take even better care of our customers.” The announcement comes after the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 65 percent, 10-‐year Jobs Creation Tax Credit for a new distribution center located at 6300 Creek Road, and what Kroger describes as its new “Customer Service Center of Excellence,” to be located at 9997 Carver Road. JobsOhio will also provide assistance, which will be made public once a final agreement is executed. “Kroger is one of the most recognized and respected grocery retail brands in the country and an innovator within its industry,” said Minor. “We value our longstanding relationship with Kroger and will work closely alongside our local partners as the company adds 649 jobs in Blue Ash.” Kroger is the nation’s largest grocery retailer and the largest employer in both Blue Ash and greater Cincinnati. Including the company’s downtown headquarters and facilities, Blue Ash facilities and the Cincinnati store operating division, Kroger employs more than 18,000 associates in greater Cincinnati. “We are very excited to have the region’s largest Fortune 500 company expanding in Blue Ash,” said Mayor Czerwonka. “The City appreciates Kroger’s investment and trust in our community, and we look forward to the company’s continued growth and partnership in the future.” “Kroger continues to be a leading local business partner by growing its existing employee base. It contributes to the region’s world-‐class consumer products expertise allowing Greater Cincinnati to be a game changer in that industry,” said Johnna Reeder, President & CEO of REDI Cincinnati. “This project was a true collaboration between JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and the City of Blue Ash and shows Kroger’s regional commitment by growing its presence in its headquartered hometown of Greater Cincinnati. We’re thrilled for our region and the State.” Kroger ranks 24 on the Fortune 500 list and generated $108.5 billion in annual sales last year. The company currently employs more than 2,000 employees in Blue Ash as well as 2,500 employees in downtown Cincinnati. Kroger has more than doubled its downtown jobs presence since 2002. About Kroger: Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,625 supermarkets and multi-‐department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 782 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,330 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and community organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club. About JobsOhio: JobsOhio is a private, non-‐profit corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts. Find out more at www.jobs-‐ohio.com. For more information, contact: JobsOhio: Matt Englehart, 614-‐300-‐1152, englehart@jobs-‐ohio.com The Kroger Co.: Keith Dailey, 513 762-‐1304, [email protected] City of Blue Ash: Neil Hensley, 513-‐607-‐5332 , [email protected] REDI Cincinnati: Stacie Dastoor, 513-‐686-‐2986, [email protected] # # #