Contact Information:

Dr. Eric R. Workman

County Administrator

Bland County, Virginia

276-688-4622

eworkman@bland.org

Friday, October 18, 2013

***For Immediate Release***

The County of Bland welcomes Grants Supermarket

The Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority of Bland County are pleased to announce that Grants Supermarket plans to open a grocery store in the Bland community.

For approximately three years, Bland County, Virginia has had the undesired distinction of being without a full service supermarket. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made over the years to solicit a grocery company to invest in Bland County by opening a store. “I am delighted with the announcement of Grants Supermarket coming to Bland County. Grants reputation as an excellent grocery store is well known. We welcome Grants and hope they have years of success,” stated Nick Asbury, member of the Bland County Board of Supervisors.

Grants Supermarket has purchased the former IGA building across the street from the Bland County Courthouse. “This would not be possible without the efforts of several individuals and organizations who have worked over the past several years to make this announcement a realization,” stated Henry Blessing, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Shonna Ruble, owner/broker of United Country-Freedom Real Estate, and Brenda Thompson and the leadership of New Peoples Bank worked diligently with the Economic Development Authority in the effort to support Grants Supermarket in their decision to come to Bland County.

The exact open date for the store has yet to be determined. Grants Supermarket plans to completely remodel the store in order to provide the best shopping experience to the citizens of Bland County. “The announcement of Grants opening a store not only brings commerce to the County, it also brings jobs. Grants has stated that once the remodel is completed and the store is opened, at least five new full time jobs will be brought to the County,” stated David Dillow, Chairman of the Economic Development Authority.

Grants Supermarket representatives state “we are very excited to be so warmly welcomed to the community.  We are committed to providing our customers with the freshest product, best prices, and friendliest customer service”.