It has been a seemingly uphill battle for QuikTrip to come to Henryetta.
Since the announcement was originally made in 2017, there have been issues purchasing property and getting an agreement over highway access.
Most of those hurdles have been cleared and city officials are going to be meeting with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and QuikTrip officials on highway zoning.
That was the word Monday from Jennifer Clason to members of the Henryetta Economic Development Authority members.
She said a groundbreaking ceremony will be held soon but did not elaborate on a projected date.
“We need to say a big, ‘thank you’ to Senator Roger Thompson for negotiating with ODOT secretary Mike Patterson to get it all accomplished,” she said. She also gave kudos to QuikTrip officials including the company site locator who, “worked tirelessly to see this happen.”
An issue still ahead for the city in that project is the decades-old water lines that run from the newly-constructed water tower on the hill above the projected site. Those are the main lines supplying the city with water. “We are going to be working with engineers to take care of that issue,” said public works director Ron Casey.
He told HEDA members the sewer project on the property west of town is nearing the point where lines will be installed. Still at issue was negotiations with residents there over sewer tap fees.
Members of HEDA approved a payment of $10,000 to the Chamber of Commerce for the Jim Shoulders monument. That monument will be unveiled at an August 25 ceremony.
Reimbursement of $#10,027.05 was authorized for the Shoney’s Restaurant sales tax covering the April 1 through June 30 time frame.