After more than two years of negotiations, Harlingen leaders announced on Friday that a Bass Pro Shops store would make be built in the their city.
The Harlingen Economic Development Council's secret "Project Nebraska" brought the sporting goods and outdoor megastore to the Rio Grande Valley.
The Bass Pro Shop store will be built at the soon-to-be-develop Cameron Crossing shopping centr on the northwest corner of the US 77/US 83 interchange.
Construction for the $28 million dollar store will begin in October and is expected to open by the 2011 Holiday Season.
"It will employ over 300 people and create $26 million in sales tax revenue," said Armando Elizarde with the Harlingen EDC.
Harlingen residents told Action 4 News they are excited about the shopping center.
"I've always bought things at that store up in San Antonio, which is the closest one there, so I'm glad to have one locally," Harlingen resident Bill Elliff said.
Cesar Morales and his wife said they agree.
"It’s definitely big savings and everything, we'll be leaving our money here in Harlingen," Cesar Morales told Action 4 News.
Former Harlingen Mayor Bill Card said he's also excited about the project.
He said it was a big win both Harlingen and the entire Valley.
More stores for the shopping center will be announced in the coming months.
Despite initial reports that tax payers money would be used to pay for the project, Elizarde said it is not true.
"The EDC solely is issuing the bonds, it will solely affect the EDC,” he added. “It does not affect the City of Harlingen and it doesn’t raise their taxes."
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