Buc-ee's set to open first Louisiana store in 2025 after state funding for Ruston road

Louisiana's first Buc-ee's travel center in Ruston is on schedule for a 2025 opening after the Legislature earmarked $6 million for the first phase of infrastructure to accommodate the development, Mayor Ronny Walker said.

Walker said a $6 million direct appropriation in the state budget will fund construction of the service road to deliver traffic to Buc-ees and said U.S. Sen. John Kennedy has earmarked $6 million more for the second phase of construction, though Congress hasn't yet passed its budget bill.

"Phase 1 gets Buc-ee's open," Walker said in an interview with USA Today Network. "Our state legislative delegation did an incredible job to get the funding included in the budget."

Walker credited state Sens. Stewart Cathey, R-West Monroe; Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria and Jay Morris, R-Monroe, and Reps. Chris Turner, R-Ruston, and Patrick Jefferson, D-Homer, with shepherding the appropriation and Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards for supporting it.

"That was huge," Walker said. "We're right on schedule. Nothing has been delayed. We're on target for a 2024 groundbreaking and 2025 opening."

The $12 million third phase of the infrastructure project for which the city is seeking funding would connect the service road to the city of Grambling "and ties our two cities together even more," Walker said.

Ruston will contribute $6 million in utility upgrades along the development corridor.

Buc-ee's is scheduled to complete a traffic study this month that is required for final state and federal approvals of Interstate 20 interchange and service road designs.

Walker said the Buc-ee's announcement has sparked an eruption of economic development within the corridor. "The level of interest from hotels and restaurants and property sales connected to this project has been incredible," the mayor said.

Buc-ee's, with its toothy Beaver mascot, has developed a cult following among travelers who consider the stores tourism destinations rather than just a giant convenience store.

Every Buc-ee's has wide varieties of meat jerky, roasted nuts and other culinary delights, like the signature Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets (similar to caramel popcorn), fudge, brisket and sausage on a stick.

USA Today Network first reported the project in January. The city, Lincoln Parish School Board and Lincoln Parish Police Jury all subsequently approved a tax incentive package that set the project in motion.

The Lake Jackson, Texas-headquartered company has more than 40 stores in seven southern states, but none in Louisiana. In 2016, Buc-ee's announced tentative plans to build its first Louisiana store in Baton Rouge, but scrapped the project in 2017.

But the company has its origins in Louisiana, where Buc-ee's owner Arch "Beaver" Aplin III worked in his grandfather's general merchandise store during his childhood summers.

"For our family, opening a Buc-ee's in Louisiana is like coming home," the Beaver said in a statement to USA Today Network. "We are very excited about Buc-ee’s coming to Ruston."

Buc-ee's has secured an 84-acre tract of land on the northern side of the new I-20 Tarbutton Exchange. Ruston completed the $25 million Tarbutton Exchange in 2019. The travel center will be directly across from Ruston Junior High School.

The travel center will occupy 30 acres, leaving more than 50 acres for more development.

Walker estimated the project will be a $50 million to $60 million development with a 53,000-square-foot campus and 120 gas pumps.

Buc-ee's will create a minimum of 200 new full-time jobs with starting pay at $16 an hour plus benefits including three weeks paid time off and a 401k plan with a company match.

More: Buc-ee's origin story began in Louisiana at a general store in tiny Harrisonburg

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Here's the latest on when Buc-ee's will open first Louisiana store