Big News for Western Athens: A Grocery Store Is Coming to Town!

Big News for Western Athens: A Grocery Store Is Coming to Town!

Exciting things are happening in western Athens as the City Council has given the green light for a brand new grocery store! According to the latest updates, Food City will be making itself at home on the corner of Elm Street and Lucas Ferry Road. This comes as a fantastic reply to the needs and requests of local residents who have been eager for fresh retail options.

Job Creation on the Horizon

So, what does this mean for the community? Well, this project is set to be a *job creator*, providing around 200 new positions for folks in the area! Isn’t that something to celebrate? The grocery chain plans to invest a whopping $19.585 million, and it’s expected to lead to an impressive $23 million in annual taxable sales. A win-win for everyone involved!

Community Support and Incentives

In a recent meeting, the Council approved an incentive for Food City that makes this partnership even sweeter. The city will collect the sales tax generated by the store and will reimburse the grocery chain yearly for the next ten years or until it provides a total of $2.4 million. This strategy is a smart move for Athens as it aims to bolster its revenue, which is crucial to fund various local projects and services.

Mayor Weighs In

Mayor Ronnie Marks expressed his enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the need for retail growth on the western side of Athens. He noted that the eastern side has seen most of the new retail developments, especially since it houses a larger population and has easy access to popular highways such as U.S. 31 and I-65.

As Mayor Marks explained, “This project presented us with the opportunity to address a need in that part of our city and grow our sales tax base.” He went on to mention that over 40 percent of the city’s budget comes from sales tax revenue, making it vital to seek out new opportunities for growth in order to support hiring more responders, purchasing additional garbage trucks, and funding paving projects and outdoor recreation improvements.

A Look at Food City

Now, for those who may not be familiar with Food City, let’s take a quick dive into its history! The company, officially known as K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., has roots dating back to 1918 with its first store opening in Greeneville, Tennessee. The family-owned business has expanded significantly over time, and today, it operates around 150 retail outlets across a span of five states, including southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama. Now, Athens will be joining that proud list!

What’s Next for Western Athens?

Residents are buzzing with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the store’s opening as it will not only provide convenient grocery shopping but also foster community engagement and local employment opportunities. The project also includes street improvements, making the area more accessible and lively.

In conclusion, this new Food City will undoubtedly bring excitement to western Athens, creating jobs and revitalizing the local economy. Keep your eyes peeled, folks! Athens is on the rise, and good things are coming your way.