DALTON, Ga. - Although no official announcement has been made, a website for Kohl's department store lists job openings for executive management positions in Dalton and an online construction bidding company has the department store listed as a bid project.
The store is expected to be the anchor for an ongoing retail-restaurant development in Dalton.
A spokesman for Kohl's, which is based in Wisconsin, said she would e-mail a statement Tuesday about the Dalton store, but it never came.
The Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority approved an intergovernmental agreement during a meeting Tuesday afternoon that would provide for installation of acceleration and deceleration lanes into the site, removal of demolition debris and other services during the project's completion.
The City Council and County Commission still must approve the agreement to provide in-kind services by various departments.
The development authority also approved a memorandum of understanding with the terms of the shopping center, to be called Dalton Commons and located on 12.4 acres in front of Wal-Mart and Home Depot on Shugart Road.
In December, the authority approved $4.2 million in tax-free bonds to prepare the property and work has begun on the site.
The Dodge Project Center, an online construction bidding site, lists a Kohl's store in Dalton valued at $4.9 million with a Feb. 3 bid date.
Brian Anderson, president of the Whitfield County Chamber of Commerce, said he does not know when the announcement of the tenant will be made.
The first phase of the development to complete the anchor store is slated be finished by this fall. The second phase of surrounding stores likely will be completed by spring 2011.
Anderson said the number of stores and restaurants could vary from five to 10, depending on the type of stores.
"The tenant list is a list of the usual suspects. When a Verizon store opens, there are certain stores that surround it and this is the same way," Anderson said.
The developer, RealtyLink of Greenville, S.C., "is negotiating with various tenants," Anderson said.
RealtyLink could not be reached for comment Tuesday.