Dollar General to begin construction soon in Center Point

Center Point is on the hunt for retailers to locate around its developing I-380 interchange after landing a Dollar General Store not too far away.

Construction is set to begin soon on a new Dollar General discount store near the Centerfield Sports Bar. The roughly $900,000 investment is highly welcome, City Administrator Steve Winger said.

The Dollar General is not far from the interchange along Lewis Access Road, a entryway to the city from I-380 that was recently reconstructed at a cost of over $2 million.

City leaders and the Center Point Economic Development Corp. believe the interchange and area offer huge retail potential.

The city has been extending and improving public infrastructure in the area, including a new water tower, and some of the property owners along it are open to retail development, Winger said.

Center Point leaders are also willing to consider tax increment financing for major businesses coming to the area, Winger said.

Center Point Economic Development President Sean Taylor said the largest single area available consists of a 220-acre tract of farmland and a 80-acre tract of farmland between Titan Manufacturing and North Center Point Road. The land has long been held by a German family, which is now willing to consider selling.

"We're interested in green energy solutions, and hoping to see if we can create more sustainable types of businesses," Taylor said.

While Center Point definitely has some fresh energy in the retail recruitment arena, it hasn't been as successful as some would like to believe.

Rumors recently circulated that Cabela's, the Nebraska-based sporting goods retailer, had picked Center Point as a future location.

Taylor confirmed that Cabela's has been contacted by Center Point Economic Development, but said the chain politely declined.

"They evaluated us and didn't feel we met the criteria they were looking for," Taylor said. That notification came in July 2011, but rumors are still circulating that Cabela's is coming to Center Point.

Winger sees a bright spot in the fact that so many people seem to find the prospect of Cabela's coming to Center Point believable.

"It's a great location," he said of the interchange area.