BOONE, Iowa—Boone Mayor John Slight issued the following statement concerning the decision by Fareway Stores to move its corporate headquarters to Johnston:

“Fareway has been, is and will remain a vital and valued corporate citizen in Boone. The decision announced by its leadership today that its corporate headquarters will be moving to Johnston is one that is important to Fareway’s continued expansion. While we may be disappointed, the move is also beneficial to Boone for several reasons. Fareway’s downtown office will become the new home for approximately 45 wholesale office employees. That’s more people than are currently working in the downtown office and will boost our downtown’s vitality.

“As Reynolds Cramer emphasized, what hasn’t changed is Fareway’s commitment to Boone as more than 600 employees continue to work at the wholesale campus and office. Just as it always has, Fareway will continue to make significant investments in its local facilities and our community at large. And as Fareway continues to expand throughout the Midwest, we know that Boone’s role in its success will also grow.”

(contributed press release, City of Boone)