Buc-ee’s breaks ground in WR

Prominent figures in the Houston County community welcomed a new guest Monday morning at a groundbreaking for a 53,000-square-foot travel center set to open in Warner Robins next year.

County commissioners, council members and mayors from Houston and Peach County came to the south east location along Russell Pkwy and I-75 to celebrate the newest installation, Buc-ee’s, which is said to bring over 200 jobs to middle Georgia.

The Warner Robins location will serve as the first Georgia location for the franchise and will provide 116 fueling stations and thousands of food options according the official press release.

Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms says the process started six months ago when the company contacted Warner Robins city government in regards to possible site for its first Georgia location.

Toms says Warner Robins teamed up with the Peach County government to work out a deal as the service area belonged to Fort Valley but was located in Warner Robins. Once the deal was made, the process transitioned smoothly according to Buc-ee’s founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin.

Aplin described the experience with both city governments as warm and welcoming. He commended the two cities for working together for the purpose of bringing this project to fruition. He said his company was looking to move toward the southeast because he a southern man who enjoys the southern atmosphere. He says there are locations in the works for both Alabama and Florida as well.

Aplin, who founded the company in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas, confirmed that the hiring process would start a few months before the establishment is set to open. He said the job would come with competitive salaries and would be high paying jobs offering possibly$14-15 per hour. “We typically pay substantially 40-50% above the market” Other benefits include a 401k and a three weeks vacation.

The project has a completion date set for next year and should be a great neighbor to Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Warner Robins Visitor Center projects that have yet to be constructed.

According to the press release, Buc-ee’s is home to the world’s largest convenience store, has 37 locations in Texas and is known for its “pristine bathrooms.”

HHJ News