State and local officials are expected to announce today an expansion of Walgreens Customer Care Center in Muscle Shoals, a move that could create up to 350 additional jobs, officials said Tuesday.

Walgreens built a call center operation in 2004 at Southgate Mall. The facility processes customers’ prescriptions and sends them to pharmacies where they are filled. Walgreens has nearly 250 workers on site now.

Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford confirmed “a significant jobs announcement” will be made at 2 p.m. today at City Hall. He added the announcement involves Walgreens’ operation in the city.

“They’re expanding, and we’re delighted they have chosen Muscle Shoals,” Bradford said.

Construction workers were at Southgate Mall on Tuesday repairing a roof and doing other renovations in preparation for the project.

Muscle Shoals council members agreed in May to provide tax abatements for the project, waiving all non-education taxes related to construction costs as well as computer, furniture and other purchases involved in equipping the expansion.

Walgreens’ investment is expected to be nearly $4 million, based on a resolution involving the tax abatement request.

State officials have agreed to assist in the project through training workers and tax incentives. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield is scheduled to attend today’s news conference.

Aronov Properties, based in Montgomery, owns Southgate Mall and negotiated with Walgreens representatives on a lease for the expansion.

“As a representative for the landlord, we are very happy to be able to accommodate Walgreens’ needs,” said Allen Schmidt, a leasing representative involved in the project.

“We were very excited about the added jobs for the community.”

Details about when the hiring process will begin are expected to be announced by company officials today.

Mike Goens can be reached at 256-740-5740 or mike.goens@TimesDaily.com.