Bass Pro Shops to Open Outdoor Sports Center in Macon

ATLANTA, GA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Bass Pro Shops will open a 600,000 square foot outdoor sports center in Macon, Georgia that will include a regional distribution center. The project will create 400 jobs.

"The past two years my staff has given me a Bass Pro Shops gift certificate for my birthday. It is by far one of my favorite stores," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "I'm excited that this location will be so close to my home in Bonaire. This is great news for middle Georgia, especially in terms of job creation and the investment it will bring to this region of the state."

The outdoor sports center will be located at the intersection of I-75 and Bass Road. Bass Pro Shops will be the anchor for a 207 acre development by Fickling & Company, Inc., featuring 500,000 square feet of upscale retail, restaurants and hotels. The facility will bring more than 2,000 additional Twenty-foot Equivalent unit containers, or TEUs, through the Port of Savannah.

"We look forward to being a part of the Macon community and are very happy to be bringing our third store to the great state of Georgia. It will be dedicated to the families and visitors who enjoy the many outdoor traditions this area has to offer," said Bass Pro Shops President Jim Hagale. "Our first regional distribution center is the result of a two-year search and will serve our many customers in the southeast where we have strong brand recognition."

The state-of-the-art distribution facility will service Bass Pro Shops in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia.

"The construction of the Bass Pro Shops new outdoor sports center will be a positive shot in the arm for Macon-Bibb County and middle Georgia," said Charlotte McMullan, chairman of the Macon Economic Development Commission. "The company will not only provide good jobs for our citizens but the retail store will bring 2–3 million shoppers to the area, shoppers who will impact every part of the community."

More than just a fishing and hunting store, Bass Pro Shops will also offer equipment and clothing for hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, camping, outdoor cooking and more. A gift and nature center will also serve up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and cabin style furniture.

"This project is a perfect example of the leadership of past Chairman Tommy Olmstead and the partnership between the Macon Bibb County Industrial Authority, the state of Georgia and the private developer, Fickling & Co. Bibb County is proud to have been a part of the team that helped make this announcement a reality," said Charles Bishop, Chairman of the Bibb County Commission.

Known for their great customer service and associates who love the outdoors, Bass Pro Shops will hire passionate outdoor enthusiasts from the area. Employment information is available in the career opportunity's section of www.basspro.com.

Bass Pro Shops, also a major catalog and internet retailer, was recently ranked as the #1 outdoor retailer in America by Sporting Goods Business magazine. Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, they have 26 retail locations in 17 states across America and Canada that attract over 75 million people annually.