New Millegeville Kroger now under construction
This Fall, students will have a new place to do their grocery shopping, with the addition of a new Kroger located north of Wal-Mart on highway 441.
The target opening date for this new Kroger, which will replace the current one in Milledgeville, is October of this year. The new Kroger will be the largest one in the state according to store manager David Sheppard.The new Kroger will not only be the largest in the state, but it will also contain the largest fuel center with 17 pumps. They will also offer a Starbucks coffee shop in the store along with a sit down restaurant and a full salad bar.
In addition to the new variety of groceries, the store will also offer new jobs for Milledgeville.
“We are going to hire between 140 and 150 more people, and the application for employment is all on the online,” Sheppard said. “The county also received a $200,000 grant from the state because we are going to hire at least 40 people straight off of unemployment.”
The money was awarded as a part of One Georgia Authority’s Equity Fund, which assists rural communities to help establish groundwork for economic development.
The construction of the $17 million store, as well as, the new employees for the store is expected to help stimulate the local economy.
“The local Chamber of Commerce told me that this was a big deal for the community because of Milledgeville having such a high unemployment rate,” Sheppard said. “Right now we are adding jobs when most places are shutting down.”
One complaint Sheppard received from many college students from the Atlanta area was the size of the current store.
“When we opened this store, we just moved into an old Bi-Lo,” Sheppard said. “This new store will be able to fit four of the current one inside of it.”
He believes that the size as well as other factors will appeal to college students.
“We are going to have the best variety, prices and people in town,” Sheppard said. “We don’t want you to just be satisfied when you shop with us. We want you to be highly satisfied.”
However, the distance from campus is one complaint heard from students.
“I don’t want to have to drive that far,” said junior nursing major Michelle Mitchell. “Wal-Mart is closer, and there is already a Starbucks in town.”
Others are excited about the new options they are going to have for their groceries.
“We have a lot of old abandoned buildings and empty lots and that’s one concern, but a new Kroger would be wonderful and being able to use my Kroger card for gas would definitely be a plus,” said sophomore athletic training major Samantha McGrath.
Some even think the prospect of employment is the best benefit from the new store.
“Well for one I will probably apply for a job there, but since it isn’t too far, I will probably start shopping there too,” said senior mass communication major Cas Nowicki.
The land has been cleared and new traffic lights have been constructed. The construction of the building will start soon.
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