CORDELE, Ga. (WALB) - A Hobby Lobby is expected to open in Cordele later this year, city officials said, with leaders hoping the store will boost the local economy and attract additional businesses to the area.

Mary Darby, Cordele’s community development planning director, said the city is looking forward to the economic impact the store will bring.

“I think it’s excellent because we are working on redeveloping the city of Cordele and bringing in new jobs and increasing the economy through job advancements,” Darby said. “The retail store coming as well as very exciting, is going to be very welcomed here in the city of Cordele.”

Jobs and local spending

According to Darby, Hobby Lobby will bring up to 30 jobs to the community, which she said will help boost household incomes and improve local spending.

Cordele resident Anjarvius Lavant said he and others in the community are looking forward to the store’s arrival.

“Hobby Lobby is going to be a place for a lot of — for all ages and for everybody to, you know, come together,” Lavant said. “We’re going to have a lot of customers come in this store. The first few months, because it’s something new and the closest one is like fifty miles away, both directions. So yeah, everybody’s pretty much excited. I am excited, you know.”

City officials said they hope the Hobby Lobby opening is the first of many stores to come as part of an ongoing effort to revitalize Cordele.

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