Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb said the last of the major hurdles have been cleared for Project Hilltop and a memorandum of understanding could come within a week.
The mayor remained mum on the identity of the city’s suitor in the project, but Costco Wholesale has been identified in previous open meetings.
Local officials were supposed to meet with company representatives in Atlanta Friday, but bad weather canceled the representative’s flight.
Earlier this morning, a Costco spokeswoman declined to discuss any specific markets and would not confirm any talks about a Northwest Georgia location.
Mr. Cobb said negotiations were held up until a state transportation official signed off on the right of way for a traffic signal at the site. After delays in getting approval, Mr. Cobb’s plan obtained the necessary signature at the end of last week.
“That was a biggie,” the mayor said.
Next, the mayor will meet with North Georgia Electric about moving utility lines and await the rescheduled meeting with the company rep.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.