Costco coming to the Tri-Cities?

JOHNSON CITY (WJHL) – Is Costco coming to the Tri-Cities?

State Representative Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough) said Tuesday he’s aware of a possible deal, but it won’t happen until certain conditions are met.

During a tour of Washington County with House Speaker Beth Harwell, Rep. Hill said there’s nothing official, but the global retailer has a “verbal commitment” to come to the county as part of large retail development.

• See also: Rep. Hill now says no Costco agreement in works

“Costco has not given a written commitment, but they have given…negotiated a verbal commitment that they would be the anchor for a very large…what would be a very prosperous development,” Hill said.

Hill mentioned a possible site: farmland near the Boones Creek exit off Interstate 26, but he says the interchange will need to be upgraded to alleviate traffic backups.

“They will not come in and develop and set up shop until that exit is fixed, It already backs up in the mornings and afternoons,” Hill said.

The closest Costco’s to the Tri-Cities are in Farragut, Tennessee and Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina.

News Channel 11 asked Costco about Hill’s comments. The response:

“Thank you for your inquiry.  As a policy we do not comment on specific locations.  However, we do appreciate your interest and support of Costco Wholesale.”

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