The Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) announced that United Supermarkets, a Lubbock-based retail grocery chain with 66 stores across Texas and New Mexico, will add 190 new jobs locally over the next couple of years. The announcement was made during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The additional jobs include back office support and IT support, warehouse and transportation staff and more. These jobs will result in $7.2 million in annual salaries. United will also add 200,000 square feet to their current Lubbock distribution site, a $33.7 million capital investment for the community.
“The jobs we are talking about creating today are support function jobs, meaning that they are not store operation roles. It is important to recognize that by keeping and expanding the support functions for United here in Lubbock, the economic development that comes from company growth all originates right from our city,” Robert Taylor, president of The United Family®, said. “This is a significant increase to the 872 support jobs at an annualized payroll of almost $35 million currently in place.”
Including indirect and induced effects, the total employment impact will be 311 jobs and new salaries of $11.9 million per year. Once fully operational, the total value added impact (change in Lubbock County’s Gross Regional Product) will be $22.6 million annually.
“The work ethic of West Texans and the quality of life we have here will attract the kind of people we need in some key support roles. By owning and expanding the Llano Logistics distribution center, it secures our roots in Lubbock for a long time and positions us to grow our footprint in the Southwest,” Taylor said.
“On behalf of the board and staff at LEDA and Market Lubbock, we would like to congratulate United Supermarkets on the expansion and continued success of their businesses,” John Osborne, CEO of LEDA and Market Lubbock, said. “The expansion of this local company, and the jobs they are set to create, will have a tremendous impact on Lubbock’s economy.”
(Press release from Lubbock Economic Development Alliance)