RIO GRANDE - A preliminary site plan zoning design was approved during a special meeting held Monday evening between the Rio Grande Village Council and the Rio Grande Village Zoning boards concerning the construction site for a new Family Dollar Store to be built in Rio Grande.

Both boards unanimously agreed to accept the site plan as was submitted for the proposed 8,000 square foot Family Dollar.

The store is to be built at the intersection of Ohio 588 and Ohio 325 at the flashing light in Rio Grande. As of Monday's resolution, the store will feature an entrance and an exit onto both of these roads.

This was an important factor in the store's decision to follow through with this project, which has been in the works for nearly a year and a half.

If everything goes as planned, with the passage of this resolution, Family Dollar will begin taking steps to purchase the estimated two and half acre site and will begin construction immediately after. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, a tentative opening date for the store has been set for Aug. 1, 2008. It will be the third Family Dollar Store in Gallia County.

“This will provide a new shopping experience for our local community,” said Rio Grande Mayor Matt Easter. “People will no longer have leave Rio Grande to purchase necessities. It's another step forward for a small southern Ohio town.”

Some concerns were voiced during Monday's meeting regarding possible traffic congestion in an already busy area of the village. However, those present eventually agreed that exits and entrances onto both roads should alleviate traffic at the flashing light because drivers will have options as for which way to travel.

In the end, both boards decided that the benefits of the store being built in Rio Grande outweighed the concerns.

“With the changing economy and gas prices up like they are, this will be much more convenient for the people of Rio Grande,” said Easter. “It's also a source of revenue and keeps money right here in the village. Hopefully we can expand off of this revenue and it will promote further growth for the village.”