Oneonta welcomes major retail boost with new shopping center, bringing over 200 jobs

A 40,000+ square foot retail space is being built in Blount County.

Marshalls, 5 Below, Ulta and Rack Room Shoes will soon call the city of Oneonta home.

City and county leaders broke ground on the shopping space Monday.

They are hopeful for the growth this will bring and retain in Oneonta.

“Not only will it start growth, but I think it will help what is already here. You know, as we welcome foot traffic into the new center, not only will it benefit it but I think it will benefit our other retail establishments that have been here and worked so hard,” said Richard Phillips, mayor of Oneonta.

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Phillips said the retail space is expected to initially bring over 200 jobs to the city.

“The biggest problem Blount County has had is outflowing dollars,” said Bradley Harvey, Blount County commission chairman. “People leave our county and spend their dollars in other cities. Well now we are retaining those dollars. We are keeping it here where it is local for our schools, for our roads, for law enforcement.”

The shopping center is being built with extra space for future development.

Developers announced Monday space has already been purchased by a grocery store to be opened in the future.

Construction is expected to be complete by Fall 2025.