MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – This isn’t the first time West Texas residents have heard about a Costco opening in Midland, but this time the Midland Development Corporation oversaw the deal, and now everyone has signed on.

“In the previous deal, the Midland Development Corporation was not involved in the negotiations to bring Costco to Midland, so I cannot comment on that, but this deal is signed and signed by both parties and we are very excited to welcome them,” said MDC Executive Director Sara Harris.

A piece of land in the West Midlands north of State Highway 191 and west of State Highway 158 will be home to the new Costco store in about two years. But this would not be possible without the MDC using its resources to prove to Costco that the Midlands and Basin area are committed to attracting and supporting the company.

“So it’s a ‘but for’ question, right? You have to ask, ‘Would this deal have happened without incentives?’ And with Costco, the answer is ‘no. Without the incentives, Costco would not enter the market,'” Harris said.

But these incentives are a two-way street. Although Costco will receive about $6.5 million back from the MDC once the store is completed, part of that reimbursement is contingent on the new store providing at least 100 full-time jobs.

Both the MDC and the City of Midland are confident that this Costco will be a success because the people of the Basin are not hiding their desire for another supermarket known for its low prices.

“The desire for Costco has been expressed countless times to MDC board members, city council members and MDC staff. And we want to respond to the needs and desires of the community, and that led directly to this deal,” Harris said.

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