ISSAQUAH, WA – Costco has made moves to enter the Dallas, Texas, market, with the filing of a new building permit that seeks a $3 million economic development grant from the city.

The permit is for a 146,000-square-foot warehouse-style retail building, the Dallas Morning News reports, and would be built on a 13-acre site. This would be Costco's first store in the city, and it projects 225 jobs will be created.

In total, the box store would be an investment of about $22.6 million, and the retailer will hear from Dallas’ City Council today if it will receive $3 million to help develop it. Despite not having yet received confirmation, Costco has already filed the permit and looks to have every intention of moving forward.

This would grow an already existing presence for Costco in Texas, though it shopped carefully before it decided to enter this particular hub. The retailer searched for years for alternative store locations before picking the North Dallas site, according to the report.

Costco currently has locations in:

• Duncanville
• Fort Worth
• Arlington
• Southlake
• Lewisville
• West and East Plano
• Frisco
• Rockwall

Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we report on the Texas and other retail markets that continue to heat up.

Costco

EL DORADO COUNTY, CA - After a year of some of the most stringent water usage restrictions in the state’s history, it looks like parts of California are starting to peel back the rules Governor Jerry Brown and the State Water Resources Control Board put in place last April and June.

El Dorado Irrigation District (E.I.D.), one serving approximately 40,000 customers, has voted to officially rescind all of its water restrictions, according to Sacramento-based news source KCRA 3.

“Now that the drought stage has been rescinded, currently our customers no longer need to conserve,” District Spokesman Jesse Saich explained.

Previously, in a June 2015 decision, the State Water Resources Control Board mandated that water usage be reduced by 28 percent, as compared to 2013. As statistics now show, the actual amount of water used by customers reduced by an average of 31 percent.

While many officials argue that these increased statistics combined with a strong El Niño rain season has sufficiently helped replenish water sources, the U.S. drought monitor still shows El Dorado County in either the severe or extreme drought level.

“While we understand that many communities are still feeling the effects of the drought, those effects have largely alleviated in the E.I.D. service area,” Saich continued, according to KCRA 3.

On the same day that E.I.D.’s decision to end its stage two drought warning was made, Governor Jerry Brown doubled down on his commitment to saving water by issuing an executive order titled “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life.” The order reportedly contains new bans on hosing off sidewalks or driveways, watering lawns within 48 hours after it rains, and washing cars without a shut-off nozzle on the hose.

“While we are hopeful that we are turning the corner on this drought, the truth is that it’s just too soon to tell,” said Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board at a recent workshop to discuss the possibility of ending restrictions statewide. “Any additional water we can conserve today will serve us well tomorrow if the drought continues.”

While its clear the state is still in the throes of a serious drought, will this trend be one that ripples throughout the entire state? Count on AndNowUKnow to give you the latest reports on the developing water situation in California.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - On the heels of The Fresh Market revealing its intent to exit the Texas market, all eyes are now on one of the state’s biggest grocery retail chains, H-E-B. The company’s Houston Division President, Scott McClelland, says he’s already been getting questions about if he will seek to move the Central Market banner further into Houston. McClelland explained to The Houston Chronicle that, that while growth is on his mind, H-E-B will be avoiding those same pitfalls as The Fresh Market.

"I think if we did, we'd fall into the same problem that they had," McClelland told the news source. "If you put a lot of labor into a building that has high rent and you don't run a lot of volume, your bottom line isn't going to look very good."

As we’ve previously reported, The Fresh Market announced that it will close all of its Texas stores on May 18, just three years after launching in the area. The problem? Analysts suggest that the company likely did not expect its smaller-store format stores to have such fierce competition in Houston, where H-E-B, Kroger, and Wal-Mart control about 80 percent of the market, The Chronicle reports. 

McClelland believes that Fresh Market failed to find a way to set itself apart from the noise, pricing its items higher than other retailers in the area. Houston and Phoenix, McClelland says, are the nation's two most competitive metro areas for retail grocers in terms of per-capita food space. 

"So if you're going to succeed here, you've got to be good. And Fresh Market's issue was they weren't good. They didn't find how they could be different,” McClelland told the source, adding that the 15,000 to 20,000-square-feet stores vacated by The Fresh Market’s exit would be ideal for Aldi or Trader Joe’s to take over. 

Despite the recent grocery failure, H-E-B has remained on a path towards growth. Driven by new customers and customers buying more items, McClelland said, H-E-B has 92 Houston-area stores, ten of which were opened just last year.

Even more new stores are already planned, as well. The Chronicle notes new stores in the following Houston areas are currently in the works: 

• Magnolia (Summer)
• The Aliana area of Fort Bend County (Summer)
• Kingwood (Fall)
• Champions Forest area (January)
• Huntsville (June 2017) 

McClelland also noted an announcement about a new Heights store will be coming, and that the company still has its eyes set on a shopping center near Greenbriar and the Southwest Freeway.

While H-E-B may not be going down The Fresh Market path, it doesn’t look like it plans to stop growing in Texas any time soon. Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for the latest!

H-E-B

LOS ANGELES, CA - As the company gears up for summer, Giumarra Wenatchee has announced that its New Zealand fruit offerings are kicking in with Nature’s Partner Meyer lemons and Diva™ brand apples.

The program is starting initially with the lemons, which are available immediately via air shipment.

“Recent cooler temperatures have brought on some nice color, so we can begin air shipments to the U.S. right away,” Jason Bushong, Giumarra Wenatchee Division Manager, commented in a press release. “First vessel fruit is expected the first week of July, with arrivals through the middle of September.”

Additionally, the company will be offering an expanded roster of packing styles for the fruit, Bushong explained. 

“In addition to our 1 and 2-lb. handle bags, we are also offering a 4-lb. clamshell, as well as bulk shipments," said Bushong. "Our variety of pack styles is designed to service a wide range of customers, including foodservice. Meyer lemons have become so popular with consumers that they now have mass appeal.”

Currently, the company projects more volume and earlier availability for its New Zealand Meyer lemon program, expecting a 20 percent boost compared to last year’s crop and a two week jump thanks to favorable weather conditions.

As for Diva™ apples, Giumarra expects them to be available in the beginning of June.

“We’re looking forward to our second year of offering the Diva to our customers on both coasts,” Bushong said. “We expect larger volumes this year due to the excellent growing season in New Zealand.”

Exclusively grown in New Zealand’s orchards, a location Giumarra said was specifically selected for high-quality soil, ocean breezes, and plentiful summer sunshine hours, Diva™ apples are popular with consumers.

Known for a dense, sweet flesh, Diva™ apples are described as a bright red, premium apple with high flavor and aroma.

Keep following AndNowUKnow as more becomes available from Giumarra Wenatchee’s New Zealand fruit program for Summer 2016 and beyond.

Giumarra Wenatchee

AVONDALE, PA – In its continued support of local children’s organizations, To-Jo Mushrooms has announced its 14th partnership with Produce for Kids and the organization’s annual fundraising campaign. The company’s partnership will support Produce for Kids’ relationship with ACME Markets and Feeding America.

“To-Jo is proud to support Feeding America through its partnership with Produce for Kids and ACME,” said Anthony D’Amico, President of To-Jo Mushrooms, in a press release. “Giving back is something that is very important to the culture here at To-Jo. If we can provide assistance to the communities where our products are sold, making an impact on the people directly affected by hunger in our area, that is a huge win for us.” 

Funds from the company’s sales of 8oz whole and sliced mushrooms between April 29 and June 2 will be donated to Produce for Kids, in addition to a direct contribution. To-Jo will co-host a #SimplySummer Twitter Party with Produce for Kids and Shuman Produce on May 18 at 9 PM to promote the campaign.

The company said that driving excitement through social media campaigns will help To-Jo to raise additional funds for donations. ACME stores will provide in-store signage and online meal information which will supported by recipes featuring To-Jo sliced mushrooms, special events, and displays. 

Shoppers will also be able to access the Produce for Kids website from ACME’s in-store materials, where over 150 produce-centered recipes and healthy tips from parents will be featured.

Produce for Kids has raised over $5 million for local and national charities through its retail campaigns, and acknowledges Feeding America for providing the necessary support for its vast network of food banks. 

AndNowUKnow will continue to provide coverage on industry partnerships and community contributions.

To-Jo Mushrooms Produce for Kids  ACME Markets Feeding America

CARLSBAD, CA – Less than one year after its opening, The Claude ‘Bud’ Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant has already secured an international award for its technological and environmental achievements. The facility has been anointed Plant of the Year 2016 by Global Water Intelligence.

“The tenacity shown by the developer team is matched only by the importance of seawater desalination as a key part of the solution to California’s water crisis. A canny combination of state-of-the art energy recovery technology with an external energy offsetting programme makes Carlsbad the first major infrastructure project in the state of California to completely neutralise its carbon footprint,” said the Global Water Intelligence in a press release. 

The $1 billion plant project came to fruition after a 30-year Water Purchase Agreement between the plant’s owner and developer, Poseidon Water, and the San Diego County Water Authority. The plant started commercial operations in December of last year for production of up to 56,000 acre-feet of water per year. Internationally known company, IDE Technologies, operates the plant and its water treatment solutions. 

“Poseidon is honored to have received this recognition from so many of the industry’s leaders for what we accomplished in Carlsbad,” said Carlos Riva, CEO of Poseidon Water. “The Claude ‘Bud’ Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant is truly a remarkable success as it will provide enough desalinated water to serve up to 400,000 San Diego County residents during this period of record drought.” 

The project is comprised of the desalination plant itself, a ten-mile pipeline that connects to the Water Authority’s regional distribution system, and upgrades to Water Authority facilities for distribution throughout the region of the desalinated seawater. 

This project, and its efforts to provide safe water for the area by initializing using seawater, is part of a multi-decade strategy by the Water Authority to diversify the region’s water supply offerings. 

The desalination plant and components uses reverse osmosis membrane technology to now produce ten percent of the region’s water. The Water Authority stated that this supply is unaffected by weather conditions, and is also blended with water from other sources for its distribution. 

“We build projects to enhance the safety and reliability of water supplies for the San Diego region – not to win awards,” said Mark Weston, Chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. “But this kind of international acclaim helps to validate the years of work that went into making the Carlsbad project a stunning success. We could not have done it without the steadfast support of our community partners, our member agencies and the team that Poseidon put together.”

Kiewit-Shea Desalination performed the construction of the plant, after Poseidon secured funding through the agreement from the sale of private bonds, and a near to $200 million private equity contribution from Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners. 

The project also gained additional industry acclaims after partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create, restore, and enhance 66 acres of vulnerable local wetland as part of the project.

The plant’s award-winning title was announced at the end of last month at the Global Water Summit in Abu Dhabi. Global Water Intelligence, the bestowing company of the award, is a publisher of periodicals for the international water industry.

Keep clicking back on AndNowUKnow as we provide you with a steady supply of industry news and water supply innovations. 

The Claude ‘Bud’ Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant

FRESNO, CA - Another chapter has been added to the continuous legal battle between workers at Gerawan Farming and the United Farm Workers (UFW) when the California Court of Appeal turned over the Agricultural Labor Relations Board’s (ALRB) most recent decision yesterday, May 9th.

In a unanimous decision, the Fifth District Court of Appeal reportedly struck down as "unconstitutional" a 2002 law that stripped workers of their right to seek invalidation of unlawful ALRB decisions in Superior Court.

“While we are happy to return to the Superior Court and win again there, we wonder why the ALRB persists in its blatantly unconstitutional policy of barring workers from proceedings where their working conditions and wages are being addressed,” Gerawan Co-Owner, Dan Gerawan, stated, according to a press release.

As we reported recently, the ALRB voted to affirm setting aside a Gerawan employee election to decertify the UFW that took place in 2013.

Gerawan noted that the case arose after a farmworker with the company, Lupe Garcia, filed a lawsuit in Fresno Superior Court claiming that the First Amendment was violated when the ALRB refused to permit him to silently observe the ALRB’s “on the record” proceedings concerning the terms of a contract to be imposed on him and all other Gerawan farm employees. The company not only supported Mr. Garcia in the Court of Appeal and in the Superior Court, but also filed its own action seeking the same relief.

Now, both Mr. Garcia’s suit and Gerawan’s companion suit are to return to the Superior Court for further proceedings, according to the company, with the support of the following:

• The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
• The First Amendment Coalition
• The California Newspaper Publishers' Association

“We call on the ALRB to rethink its position and agree to open proceedings even if the UFW wants them closed. The ALRB must protect workers first and foremost. The secret hearing policy is obviously unconstitutional and the ALRB should stop wasting taxpayer dollars defending it.”

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this case as it develops further.

Gerawan Farming

CINCINNATI, OH - It seems like Kroger’s growth momentum is still in full force. On top of several newly announced growth investments and acquisitions, Kroger has revealed plans to hire an estimated 14,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions. The company will hold open interviews in its stores nationwide on Saturday, May 14.

"We have openings across the country for friendly, hard-working associates to join our team," said Tim Massa, Kroger's Group Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations, in a statement. "We are looking for people who are passionate about making a difference for customers and communities – and want to do it in a fun, team environment with great benefits and advancement opportunities."

According to the company’s announcement, Kroger has created more than 74,000 new jobs over just the last eight year period. That 74,000 does not include jobs created as a result of capital investment, such as temporary construction jobs, nor does it include increases due to the company's mergers.

AndNowUKnow has covered many announcements of large scale hiring plans from Kroger over the last few years, the most recent being 740 jobs in Ohio, 700 in its Mid-Atlantic Division, and 1,200 more in Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio. Kroger's total active workforce grew by more than 9,000 during 2015, with more than 90 percent of those being in the company's supermarket divisions. The company hired more than 7,000 veterans in 2015, and has hired more than 35,000 veterans since 2009. 

Interested candidates can apply online at jobs.kroger.com and return to a store on May 14 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (no appointment necessary).

Kroger

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – To praise his distinguished and extensive volunteer work, The Allen Lund Company (ALC) has announced that its Vice President of Support Operations, Kenny Lund, will be receiving an award from St. Vincent de Paul. 

"St. Vincent De Paul has a long history of serving those in need from all walks of life. To receive recognition from them is hard for me to understand, when they do so much," stated Kenny Lund in a recent press release. "The things I have done to serve others have always ended up coming back in ways that enrich my life. My hope is that this inspires others to get involved in the greater community for the benefit of everyone involved and the improvement of oneself." 

The award will be presented on May 25, 2016, at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s 2016 Mardi Gras in May Benefit Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, CA. Kenny Lund will be one of four honorees at the event being publically recognized for their volunteer work.

"We're very grateful for the kind work and friendship of a man like Kenny. Honorees for our Mardi Gras in May Gala are chosen based on their passion and support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's mission to help the needy,” said David Fields, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles. “They display a strong connection to the Society's spiritual foundation. Kenny Lund is very worthy of the honor that will be given to him at our benefit."

This award will the be latest in a string of honorary titles associated with ALC and its employees for their volunteer work and community contributions. As we previously reported, Allen and Kathleen Lund recently received the Christus Magister Medal, in addition to pledging to complete 40 Acts of Kindness by the end of the year.

AndNowUKnow would like to congratulate Kenny on this honor, and will continue to have the latest on industry companies and their contributions to communities at large.

The Allen Lund Company St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles 

GOODLETTSVILLE, TN – Central Georgia is about to see a lot more of discount retailer Dollar General. The company recently announced massive plans to build a new 1 million-sq.-ft. distribution center in a capital investment of approximately $85 million. 

“This state-of-the-art distribution center will help support our rapid store growth throughout Georgia and the southeast,” CEO Todd Vasos, said in a statement according to the Washington Post.

Dollar General has announced that construction will begin as early as summer of this year near Jackson, GA, and should be completed around summer or fall of 2017. The company estimates that the distribution center will service over 1,000 stores in the Southeastern region, and create around 500 jobs once fully operational. 

The new Dollar General distribution center will be located about 45 miles south of Atlanta, along the Butts and Spalding county line, as announced by the company and Georgian Governor Nathan Deal’s office. 

Dollar General currently operates 14 other distribution centers throughout the nation. In Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the company currently runs over 700 stores, and employs over 1,000 people.

As we previously reported, this new distribution center comes after close after another recent expansion declaration by Dollar General for the company to open 900 new stores in 2016, then another 1,000 in 2017.

As these expansion plans come to fruition, AndNowUKnow will have the latest to keep you informed.

Dollar General