Boise will become the primary location for SuperValu to process data from its stores and distribution centers.
SuperValu executives braved snowy weather Tuesday to announce a 26,000-square-foot expansion to the company's existing 34,000-square-foot Boise data center, 700 N. Ancestor Place, just off Emerald Street west of the Boise Towne Square mall.
"This is a natural step for SuperValu as we continue to harness the efficiencies across the company by consolidating data center functions into one primary location," said Paul Singer, SuperValu's chief information officer, said at a ceremonial groundbreaking.
The Eden Prairie, Minn.-based company didn't have a cost for the expansion. Executives said they plan to start construction soon, with a goal to have it finished by spring 2009.
The expansion is unlikely to create any additional jobs. Because much of the data center is automated, the existing staff should be able to handle the increased data load, Singer said.
The company has two data centers - the Boise center and one in Eden Prairie. Singer said the company had planned to consolidate them since its acquisition of most of the Boise-based Albertsons grocery chain in June 2006. The company chose Boise because the site had room for expansion, while the Eden Prairie site didn't. The Eden Prairie site will be used for testing and development.
Albertsons invested $10 million to build the data center in 2002. Tuesday's ceremony was attended by Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and Paul Hiller, executive director of the Boise Valley Economic Partnership.
Risch credited Supervalu for deciding to invest in Idaho.
"I can't tell you how much we appreciate what you've done," Risch said. "Albertsons - as you all know - was a tremendous corporate citizen and we're so glad SuperValu has decided to stay here with us and make this kind of investment."
Ken Dey: 672-6757
