Bass Pro Shops officials announce new Iowa store

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Council Bluffs, Iowa, became Bass Pro Shops' newest market when the city announced June 22 that the Springfield-based company plans to open a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World near the Mid-America Center off the Interstate 80-29 interchange.|ret||ret||tab|

The store would be between 120,000 and 140,000 square feet, Bass Pro officials said.|ret||ret||tab|

Council Bluffs is Bass Pro's ninth new store announcement this year. Next week, SBJ will take a comprehensive look at the company's expansion plans.|ret||ret||tab|

No financing details were announced for Council Bluffs' Bass Pro, but the Omaha World-Herald reported June 22 that construction of the store would be financed by the city, county and the casino-funded Iowa West Foundation, which has part ownership of the land. It is expected to cost roughly $20 million.|ret||ret||tab|

Council Bluffs officials expect great things from Bass Pro in terms of economic development and tourism.|ret||ret||tab|

"Bass Pro Shops is one of the nation's most respected companies and offers tremendous economic benefits to Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County and the entire metropolitan area," said Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan in a news release. |ret||ret||tab|

"Bass Pro Shops will draw thousands of visitors every day, which will spur new growth near the Mid-America Center. We anticipate hotels, attractions, restaurants and other facilities will be built to take advantage of the traffic Bass Pro Shops will generate," Hanafan added.|ret||ret||tab|

Other area attractions such as the Mid-America Center, Historic Trails Center, casinos, Council Bluffs Sports Complex and Star Cinema Theater, as well as Henry Doorly Zoo, Rosenblatt Stadium and Old Market in nearby Omaha, Neb., also stand to benefit, Hanafan said.|ret||ret||tab|

"The Council Bluffs location offers an ideal location, and will serve thousands of area outdoor enthusiasts," said Jim Hagale, Bass Pro Shops president. "We are excited about bringing Bass Pro Shops to western Iowa and eastern Nebraska."|ret||ret||tab|

The Council Bluffs Outdoor World will sell fishing, hunting and other outdoor gear, as well as Tracker, Nitro and Tahoe boats built by Tracker Marine Group, which also is owned by Bass Pro Shops founder John L. Morris. Bass Pro is expected to hire 300 employees for the store.|ret||ret||tab|

"This announcement demonstrates the commitment of community leaders to improve the local economy," said Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors Chairman Delbert King. "Bass Pro Shops will create hundreds of jobs, increase local sales taxes and spur additional growth throughout Pottawattamie County. This is exactly the type of innovative and aggressive economic development program state of Iowa officials have encouraged communities to undertake in order to ensure our future."|ret||ret||tab|

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