The Home Depot® has formed a national partnership with AARP, a membership organization for the 50+ population, to attract, motivate and retain eligible older workers as part- and full-time associates in new and existing stores across the country. Home Depot, which operates more than 1,700 stores, said it plans to open an additional 175 locations and hire about 35,000 new associates in 2004. Through its partnership with AARP, Home Depot seeks to attract skilled associates to a variety of store positions including plumbers, electricians, landscapers, design, sales, and customer service representatives.