LITTLE ELM, Texas - Oct. 1, 2024 - PRLog -- The City of Sanger is pleased to announce that the Sanger Economic Development Corporation and the City of Sanger City Council have approved an economic development incentive package to support the development of a new full-service Tom Thumb grocery store. This major retail addition will be located at the southeast corner of FM 455 and I-35 within the Sanger Crossing Retail Development, developed by Malouf Interests.

The new 50,000-square-foot Tom Thumb store will feature a full array of services, including a pharmacy and drive-thru service window and departments for fresh produce, deli, bakery, meat, seafood, and floral. In addition to in-store shopping, customers will enjoy the convenience of shopping online for delivery or store pickup via the DriveUp & Go™ service.

In addition to the grocery store, this development will include 582 multi-family homes, 18 townhomes, 12 duplex units, 296 single residential units, and 18 commercial lots, providing significant growth opportunities for the Sanger community.

Tom Thumb's division President, Wes Jackson, stated, "We are honored and grateful to the City of Sanger and excited about this opportunity. The approval of the incentive package is an important step in bringing the potential new store to life. The new Tom Thumb store will not only bring meaningful jobs to the area but will also provide residents with convenient access to fresh food, pharmacy services, and exceptional customer care. We look forward to serving this vibrant community."

Mayor Thomas Muir shared his excitement about the project, saying, "The Sanger community has long expressed its desire for a quality grocery store, and it has been one of our biggest priorities. We are thrilled to welcome Tom Thumb to Sanger, and we believe this development will serve as a cornerstone for continued growth and provide our residents with convenient access to the services they need."

A special thank you goes to Shani Bradshaw, our Director of Economic Development, for her relentless efforts over the past four years. Shani's dedication to promoting Sanger's growth and negotiating an incentive package that benefits everyone has been key to making this a reality.  Also, a big thank you to our City Manager, John Noblitt, for his instrumental role in pushing this project forward.

The Economic Development Incentive Package includes a $1 million grant from the 4B Economic Development Board, provided in the form of a forgivable loan. The City of Sanger has committed to a one-time construction completion grant of $750,000, contingent upon Tom Thumb securing a Certificate of Occupancy by December 31, 2026. Additionally, the City will offer up to $56,250 per full month for early occupancy and operation, up to 8 months before the agreed-upon date, for a total incentive package of up to $450,000 for early completion.

The Tom Thumb store is predicted to be a cornerstone in the ongoing growth and development of the City of Sanger, enhancing both the economic landscape and the quality of life for residents. Tom Thumb is anticipated to announce a groundbreaking ceremony in the coming weeks.