Latest business news focused on big Louisville employers; updated at 5:25 p.m.

HUMANA declared a regular quarterly dividend of 29 cents a share, payable July 29 to stockholders of record June 30. Also, the healthcare giant said it will continue its financial support of Actors Theatre’s festival of new plays through 2019; Humana has been the lead underwriter for 37 years. 

GE plans to outsource its distribution operation at Appliance Park, a move that would affect about 200 union jobs (WDRB). The announcement followed the release of a letter today that contained uncharacteristically harsh criticism of the performance of workers (CJ).

KINDRED was issued four building permits by the city yesterday, indicating it’s ready to start work on its planned $36 million office building in the Theater Square commercial district on Fourth Street near the Brown Hotel (CJ). The expansion will accommodate up to 500 new employees, and follows Kindred’s October 2014 purchase of Gentiva, an Atlanta-based home health and hospice provider (AJC).

PNC will vacate the PNC Plaza Tower on Jefferson Street, moving 300 employees to the National City Tower as the bank consolidates its combined 600 downtown employees in one place. No word on what will happen to PNC Plaza naming rights (WDRB).

PAPA JOHN’S has now eliminated all  high-fructose corn syrup from its menu, a plan first announced in June (press release). The ingredient was one of 14 the company said it would remove in June as it reinforced its “better ingredients, better pizza” slogan (Food Business News).