HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - The Howard village plan commission has unanimously approved plans for a major grocery-department store.
Representatives from Meijer pitched their plans for a large store just east of Highway 41 and south of Shawano Avenue, across from Mills Fleet Farm.
“We’ve identified the greater Green Bay area as an area of interest for us,” Meijer real estate manager Jim Ostrowski said, according to FOX 11.
“Really a cornerstone project for that property. We’ve been trying to develop that property for a very long time,” said Village President Burt McIntyre.
Meijer is described as a “big box,” with a grocery store, pharmacy, and a garden center. The plans also call for a gas station and convenience store apart from the main building.
The Michigan-based firm says the new store would create between 150 and 200 jobs.
Village leaders told FOX 11 they have few concerns. They said roads will need to be built and expanded.
“One of the issues is accessibility to the property over by Shawano and that, the DOT’s gonna have a lot to do with that,” explained McIntyre.
The Meijer representatives also talked about what customers can expect.
“We try to get as much from local farms and stuff from the state of Wisconsin so they can keep it fresh daily,” said Phillips.
The plans are scheduled to go before the full village board next Monday.
If Meijer gets all the necessary approval, the plan would be to build the store through 2016 and open in 2017. Howard leaders say the store could expand the village tax base by $14 million.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).