ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997 TAG: 9704170038
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
Kroger expansion plan undeterred by lawsuit
The Kroger Co. said Wednesday it is proceeding with plans to expand its Roanoke County warehouse despite being sued Tuesday in Charleston, W.Va.
The lawsuit, filed by 16 West Virginia residents, says Kroger got financial breaks to build 10 supermarkets in return for a covenant to keep jobs in that state. Cincinnati-based Kroger went back on that pact when it announced a plan to close a 250-employee warehouse and distribution center near Charleston, the suit said.
The lawsuit wants Kroger to pay back taxes and interest for getting the breaks over the past 16 years.
Kroger, citing increased retail competition, is consolidating distribution of perishable items in its Roanoke warehouse to reduce costs.
The lawsuit, which names six counties and the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, as well as Kroger and a Kroger subsidiary as defendants, also seeks an injunction to keep the warehouse open.
-STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
Trigon announces plans to acquire other Blue Crosses in Southeast
RICHMOND - Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield intends to gobble up Blue Crosses in other Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states as it tries to remain the largest health insurance provider in the region.
Chairman and CEO Norwood H. Davis Jr. announced the possible acquisitions Wednesday at the first meeting of shareholders since Trigon converted from a mutual company to a for-profit corporation. He said the company is looking at the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Maryland as areas for possible expansion.
``We at Trigon are the natural consolidators of the Blues in the Southeast,'' he said. ``The preference would be a full merger and not a partnership.''
Trigon sells health insurance to about 1.9 million customers, about 26 percent of the Virginia market. Its territory covers all of Virginia except some Washington suburbs. With $1.9 billion in revenues, it is the largest Blue Cross-Blue Shield plan in the Southeast and the second-largest publicly owned Blue in the country.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
Airport commission is 10
The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission marked its 10th anniversary Wednesday. Until the commission was formed, the airport was operated by Roanoke for more than 50 years. The commission brought together representatives from the city and Roanoke County to manage the airport jointly. The airport employs 43 full-time workers.
- STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB