BI-LO Could Receive Up To $6.6 Mil in Incentives for Relocating

UPDATED 4:45 p.m.

According to a report in the Jacksonville Business Journal, BI-LO could receive up to $6.6 million in incentives from a combination of city and state funds by relocating from Mauldin to Jacksonville.

Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll and Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown announced the incentives at a press conference this morning.

The money would be allocated to BI-LO over a span of 10 years. During this time, BI-LO is projected to invest $93 million in IT related to operations at a distribution center and corporate offices.

BI-LO currently employs hundreds in Mauldin at corporate offices and a distribution center.

Sources, who are not authorized to speak publicly, told Patch that officials from the city of Mauldin, the county of Greenville, the state of South Carolina and the Greenville Area Development Corporation were meeting with BI-LO CEO Michael Byars this afternoon.

In a press release issued Monday morning indicated that BI-LO plans to keep a large regional presence in the Upsate, with Byars among those staying put.

UPDATED 1:20 p.m.

According to spokesperspon Amanda Lenar the move to the corporate offices in Jacksonville, FL will be a gradual one over the next several months.

Lenar also said BI-LO plans to maintain a strong regional presence in the Upstate with the existing distribution center remaining in tact. No stores will be closed as a result of the move.

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In a news release on Monday morning officials at BI-LO announced that the company headquarters will eventually be relocating to Jacksonville, FL.

The merger between BI-LO and Winn-Dixie, , makes it the ninth-largest supermarket chain in the country, with 688 stores and 63,000 employees

Monday's news release indicated that the decision to move to Jacksonville is because of the Florida city's central location within the new chain's eight-state operating area.

Both BI-LO and Winn-Dixie will retain their brand identities and operate as subsidiaries of the same corporation--BI-LO Holding.

“With the merger of BI-LO and Winn-Dixie now complete, we can begin delivering on this exciting combination for the benefit of our customers, team members and communities,” said Randall Onstead, CEO and President of BI-LO Holding. “Together, we are a stronger company that will be focused on meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations by offering even greater value with the service and shopping experience that they have come to expect.”

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