Kroger will build a pharmacy distribution center in Cleveland

Grocery company says it will bring 140 new jobs

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s been a while since Kroger actually operated a grocery store in southeast Tennessee, but they are planning on running a distribution center here.

Tennessee officials announced the Kroger Company plans to build its fifth central fill facility in Cleveland.

They say it will bring 140 new jobs to the area.

The company says the central fill facility will serve their pharmacies.

They plan to build a 50,000-square-foot plant and use automated technology to fulfill prescriptions.

Though there once were several Kroger stores in the Chattanooga area, the nearest ones now are in Dalton and Decherd, Tennessee.

But Cleveland offers quick access to I-75.

Economic Developer Stuart McWhorter says, “Cleveland and Bradley County are geographically positioned to enhance Kroger’s distribution network across the Southeast, and we look forward to seeing the success of its newest Central Fill facility.”

Local officials point out that Kroger has operated warehouse and distribution centers in the Cleveland area since 1979.

“Locating a state-of-the-art Central Fill facility in Southeast Tennessee not only allows Kroger to better serve its customers throughout a major portion of the Southeast, but it also serves as a testament to the hard work our citizens and leadership have put in over the years to make this place that we call home an attractive and productive location for logistics and distribution companies,” said Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis and Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks

The facility will open in a building that is already there on Copper Top Lane.

Officials say it should open in the first quarter next year.