Benton Buc-ee’s deal ‘looking very good’ to close within weeks

BENTON, Ark. – A Buc-ee’s is likely on the horizon for Benton after a proposal for a new price for land in exchange for other benefits to the city.

The city’s Advertising and Promotions Commission suggested that Mayor Tom Farmer lower the price the city had earlier agreed to sell the property for to the Texas company. The drop from $2.25 million to $800,000 would come in exchange for giving the city permanent use and access to a road that Buc-ee’s would build that the city will also need.

Along the edge of the 29 acres along Exit 114 of I-30 Southbound is an industrial road for heavy equipment which would border Benton’s planned RV park. A&P Commission Chairman Bill Eldridge said he saw that as an opportunity.

“We were going to have to build the road over here, and it would take a substantial money to do that,” Eldridge explained. “Why don’t we work with them on their private drive to gain permanent access so that our RVers can come through?”

The Buc-ee’s Travel Center would tie for their largest location ever built with a 75,000 square feet store, over 100 pumps, and 225 jobs. Dinetta Garner lives next door to the site of the proposed location.

“I’m excited that Buc-ee’s is coming,” she started. “I think Benton needs it, and I think it will be good for everybody, and they will really enjoy it, but with me living here as a resident, I don’t need to be in the middle of all of this.”

After 35 years in the same spot, she’s selling her home and property. One of her concerns is traffic.

“Felt like I was going to live my life out right here,” Garner said. “Progress. Progress is all I can say.”

According to plans from the A&P commissions, engineers for Buc-ee’s would build one lane from the exit which would be a direct entrance into the travel center. Additionally, the developers would pay to install a light at another entrance/exit point.

This will be the first Buc-ee’s in Arkansas. The closest Buc-ee’s is in Springfield, Missouri.

Buc-ee’s was founded in Texas and continues to expand across the South. All centers include 80 to 100 gas pumps and a broad shopping area with popular food offerings.

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