Catoosa County commissioners will hold a special meeting followed by a news conference today, finally revealing the name of the company that will build at Cloud Springs Road and Interstate 75.
For months, leaders have referred to the development only as “Project Hilltop,” but a Catoosa Water Board meeting revealed Costco Wholesale is the county’s suitor.
“This is it,” said Commissioner Ken Marks. “Whatever Hilltop is, the contract will be signed.”
On Wednesday, a Catoosa County official said there probably would be a meeting but wanted to confirm a few details before announcing it. Those details apparently were worked out late Wednesday, because Mr. Marks and Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb confirmed the meeting and its purpose Thursday morning.
“What we’ve been working on for months is finally happening,” Mr. Marks said.
After 16 months of negotiations, a contract was supposed to have been signed in December 2009 to get the mystery retailer open by August.
Delays with paperwork, state rights of way and permits for a traffic light had stalled the negotiations, pushing the opening back to late August or early September, officials have said.
Catoosa County Manager Mike Helton said the announcement would be the first visible symbol of the economic groundwork leaders had been laying for months and even years.
“This is just the first fruits of that progress, and there will be more coming,” Mr. Helton said.