Publix Eyes $15.6M Expansion of Pharmacy Ops: Report

On the heels of surpassing a milestone in April by filling more than 50 million free prescriptions in the past eight years, Publix is planning to invest $15 million to expand its pharmacy operations in central Florida.

According to a report in the Orlando Sentinel, the Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer applied for tax-exemption incentives that would pardon part of its tax obligations for a warehouse it plans to acquire and renovate on Rocket Court in an industrial park, west of Orlando International Airport.

The upgraded facilities will help the supermarket chain fill and distribute prescription medicine, according to the paper, which quoted a company statement in its application for tax-exemption incentives that said: "If costs allow, our plan is to grow our pharmaceutical segment at facilities in the Orlando/Orange County area in order to meet the growing demand for this market segment at our retail stores in Florida and across the southeast."

The company's application said the expansion would add 67 jobs – including pharmacists, sales associates, technicians and warehouse staff – at its Orange County pharmacy operation to fill and distribute prescriptions for customers in six states.

Orange County commissioners were slated to consider the request this week, but the vote was postponed until June 30.

The company story appears here.