River Ridge Commerce Center sign deal with Kroger Health
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Kroger Health says it plans to expand its regional Central Fill facility at a new location at the River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville and create 60 new jobs. The news comes just as River Ridge also announces a new agreement to ensure an adequate water supply for the growing complex.
The new prescription refill facility will measure 58,000 square feet, more than quadruple the size of the current site.
Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) says the current facility in Louisville employs 115 associates and they will have the opportunity to transfer to the new location.
The healthcare division of the grocery chain opened its first Central Fill facility in 2020. It now operates four locations across the U.S.
“We are pleased Kroger Health has selected River Ridge Commerce Center as the new site where it will expand its Central Fill facility,” said River Ridge Executive Director Jerry Acy. “Kroger is such an important part of our community, and we value the important products and services they deliver every day.”
The refill center supports the retail pharmacy stores throughout the region. The company says it provides in-store pharmacy staff more time to focus on clinical and customer services.
“The expansion of the facility will allow our team to support the community at an even greater level. Additional resources have never been more important for our pharmacy staff members as they continue to serve a critical role in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. “We are thankful for such a long and rewarding partnership with the city of Louisville and we’re glad we could keep our new location in the Greater Louisville area.”
Meanwhile, the River Ridge Development Authority has approved an agreement with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to help ensure businesses at the complex have a long-term supply of water.
The authority approved a 50-year contract that reserves up to 20 million gallons of water per day from the Ohio River Outflow Aquifer, which is owned by the Indiana agency.
The RRDA says River Ridge’s water system supplies about two million gallons of water per day from the aquifer and is expanding distribution to allow more than six million gallons per day, which is necessary as the commerce center continues to add new industry.
“The state recognizes that having a plentiful supply of clean water is vital to the success of our Commerce Center and our state,” said Jerry Acy, Executive Director of the River Ridge Development Authority. “To help support the tens of thousands of jobs we are trying to attract, we must continue to invest in our resources and infrastructure and provide a reliable source of water for companies locating here.”
Last year, the authority approved a $7.2 million contract with Louisville-based Caldwell Tanks Inc. to construct two elevated, two-million-gallon water storage tanks at the RRCC.
The development authority says it also approved a resolution to allow Executive Director Jerry Acy to negotiate the sale of 30 acres within the complex to an industrial or commercial prospect.
The RRDA did not disclose the name of the potential client, but it did say the property goes for $100,000 acre and would generate $3 million in funding.