CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich praised the grand opening today of SUPERVALU’s new produce operation, W. Newell & Co., which will operate a 155,000 square-foot produce warehouse/distribution center in Champaign-Urbana. W. Newell & Co. is creating 150 new jobs for the regional economy. In December, Gov. Blagojevich announced more than $1.7 million in Opportunity Returns grants and tax credits that helped make this new facility a reality. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Assistant Director Roxanne Nava attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on behalf of the Governor today in Champaign.
“We’re so pleased SUPERVALU has built its impressive new W. Newell & Co. produce distribution center in Champaign-Urbana, and we know the company will continue to thrive as a valued member of the regional business community. We will continue investing in companies that invest in Illinois so more working families across the state will be able to take advantage of our growing economy,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
SUPERVALU INC., a Fortune 500 company with more than 57,000 employees, is one of the largest companies in the United States grocery channel. With annual revenues of approximately $20 billion, SUPERVALU holds leading market share positions with its more than 1,555 retail grocery locations, including licensed Save-A-Lot locations. SUPERVALU's diverse supply chain network provides distribution and related logistics support services across the nation's grocery channel.
“We view this as an absolutely win-win situation. With the launch of W. Newell & Co., SUPERVALU further strengthens its business partnership with State of Illinois and the County and City of Champaign, and brings new jobs to the area. At the same time, regional retailers can take advantage of offering consumers access to fresher, higher quality produce. This is one more example of how SUPERVALU looks ‘outside the box’ for new opportunities to leverage our expertise in customer and consumer insights,” Jeff Noddle, SUPERVALU chairman and CEO, said.
"I'm pleased Gov. Blagojevich has awarded these important grants and tax credits to SUPERVALU," State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana) said. "Investing in our communities and local businesses will make our region more competitive, help create new jobs and benefit the Champaign-Urbana area economically for years to come."
“This project is a strong indication that we’re doing that well and a great example of how Opportunity Returns is working by investing in companies and people in ways that we can really see and feel. Gov. Blagojevich is creating an appealing environment here that companies like SUPERVALU can thrive in and that will continue to fuel more economic growth,” Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.