What kinds of jobs, money could Buc-ee’s bring to Middle Georgia? Here’s what we know

A Buc-ee’s set to be constructed in Monroe County is drawing some criticism from some local residents and business owners.

The national chain of travel centers, which have become popular online, got unanimous approval from the Monroe County Commission in December to construct a new 74,000-square-foot location off I-75 on Rumble Road.

During the meeting to vote on the construction, around 100 Monroe County residents showed up to speak about the project. Opponents argued the new Buc-ee’s would create traffic issues and endanger other gas stations.

Meanwhile, the project’s supporters argue the new travel center could bring tax revenue and jobs to the county. Here’s what to know about what Buc-ee’s will bring to the Forsyth area.

How much tax revenue will Buc-ee’s generate?

The amount of tax money drawn in from the gas station giant may not be as much as some have touted.

During the meeting to approve the new Buc-ee’s, several attendees claimed it could generate around $30 million in tax revenue per year for the county. However, the $30 million dollar figure is actually how much Buc-ee’s estimates it will generate in retail sales for the company at the Monroe County location, according to documents Buc-ee’s submitted to Monroe County.

This means the county won’t see all of that money.

Greg Tapley, chairman of the Monroe County Commission, said revenue to the county will come through sales tax. In Monroe County, the combined sales tax rate — which is the total of the state, county and city sales tax rates — is 8%.

The state gets about half of that revenue, while the remaining money is divided between the Monroe County general fund, the Monroe County Board of Education and the cities of Forsyth and Culloden.

After the money is collected and divided, the Monroe County general fund will likely collect around $900,000. The Board of Education will receive around $300,000.

Tapley said the revenue is still significant because it will primarily come from out-of-towners stopping along the interstate, creating more money for the county without putting more pressure on local taxpayers.

Additionally, Tapley said that while $30 million was the submitted estimated revenue from Buc-ee’s, Monroe County officials anticipate the number may be higher.

Buc-ee’s declined to elaborate on how the company calculated its estimate, but emphasized the sales tax revenue to the surrounding area.

“Our partnership with Monroe County will noticeably increase the County’s sales tax revenue,” said Jeff Nadalo, general counsel for Buc-ee’s, in an email to The Telegraph. “Our unanimous zoning approval by the Board of Commissioners in December was a big step; we look forward to getting started soon.”

Buc-ee’s will get a break on property taxes

While Buc-ee’s is predicted to generate revenue for the county through sales taxes, the new location won’t contribute as much to property taxes right away.

Buc-ee’s qualifies for property tax abatements that the Monroe County Commission pre-approved for any industry coming to the county with a certain amount of investment and job creation.

The new Buc-ee’s location will receive about $2.4 million in abatements over the course of eight years, Tapley said. The abatements function as a sliding scale, meaning that Buc-ee’s will have to pay more in property taxes as the years go on.

“In the first couple of years, they’ll pay very little in property taxes,” Tapley said. “But as they get to the eighth year and ninth year, they’re going to pay more.”

The county estimates that Buc-ee’s will pay an average of about $300,000 a year in property taxes once the abatements have ceased.

The new construction is projected to require infrastructure changes to accommodate increased traffic. Buc-ee’s said it would be covering those costs.

“Significant transportation infrastructure improvements will be required, and Buc-ee’s will be responsible for making those happen as part of our project,” Nadalo said.

How many jobs is the new Buc-ee’s going to bring?

The Monroe County location will generate about 200 full-time jobs, Nadalo said.

During the meeting to approve the new location, Stan Beard Jr., Buc-ee’s director of real estate and development, also said that the Buc-ee’s would generate a number of part-time positions, but didn’t have a specific number available.

According to Buc-ee’s website, store associates make around $18 to $21 an hour, with general managers earning $175,000 to $225,000 a year. Employees also receive medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401k and paid time off.