The property purchase for a Home Depot was completed last weekand developers are moving ahead with plans for the site.

“We are now closed and we are looking forward to developing theroad and infrastructure for Home Depot in Brookhaven,” said JimDeFoe, vice president of Ergon Properties, Friday.

Ergon is developing the public infrastructure on the 11-acresite near Brookway Boulevard and Interstate 55 while Home Depot ishandling overseeing construction of the store. DeFoe said HomeDepot officials have already awarded the contract forconstruction.

“They’re on a fast track plan for opening …,” DeFoe said.”We’ve got to get started in a couple of weeks to meet their timetable.”

DeFoe said Home Depot’s proposed opening date for the store isJuly 2005.

DeFoe said Ergon and Home Depot are excited about bringing astore to Brookhaven. He applauded local leaders’ pro-businessattitude in approving a tax increment financing plan to assist inthe project.

“We are very pleased and very appreciative of how business wasconducted with both the city and the county,” DeFoe said. “We couldnot have done this project without them.”

In October, city and county officials approved an $825,000 bondissue to street, water and sewer and other infrastructure for theproject. Under the TIF plan, additional property and sales taxrevenue generated by the project will be used to pay off the bondissue.

According to earlier discussions, the store, including a portionunder roof, a lumber yard and garden area, will total 120,000 to130,000 square feet. The total investment will be around $14million.

The store is expected to employ 75-100 people and have an annualpayroll of around $2 million.

While the Home Depot will be on 11 acres, DeFoe said anadditional 15 acres will also be available for development becauseof the new infrastructure. He was optimistic about thatpossibility, but did not have any word on specific futuredevelopments.

“I think you’re going to see some increased activity with HomeDepot in Brookhaven,” DeFoe said.

Brookhaven Building Inspector Steve Moreton said city officialsand Home Depot developers are moving quickly to startconstruction.

Regarding other projects, Moreton mentioned discussions about apossible motel or restaurant. He indicated, however, those werestill preliminary.

Kenny Goza, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commercepresident voiced similar comments.

“There’s some projects being discussed, but nothing definite,”said Goza, who was unable to elaborate.