Buc-ee’s took its most significant step yet toward building its new Monroe County location when it hosted a groundbreaking this morning (Tuesday, April 7) for its future gas station and convenience store on Rumble Road.
Former Development Authority of Monroe County President Joyce White served as the emcee for the nearly hour-long groundbreaking ceremony, which was attended by about 150 persons, including all five Monroe County Commissioners, all of the county’s state representatives and senator, countless other Monroe County business and economic development leaders, and many Buc-ee’s executives, including Buc-ee’s founder, Arch “Beaver” Aplin III.
White was first approached in 2023 by Buc-ee’s representatives covertly inquiring about the 30-plus acre tract just west of I-75 at the Rumble Road exit. White said the initial Buc-ee’s representative that she spoke with denied that he was representing Buc-ee’s, telling her it would be a gas station better than Buc-ee’s.
White said to laughs: “I knew then he was lying. . . There isn’t any gas station more grand than a Buc-ee’s.”
White, who is now Georgia’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Director, said Monroe County was not a hard sell on this project or many other projects she worked on as Development Authority president because Monroe County contains many of the “best, value-centered people.” White said anywhere there are good people, it makes it easier to build a good business.
Former Ga. State Senator John F. Kennedy, a South Monroe County resident who is currently running for lieutenant governor, thanked Buc-ee’s leaders for investing in our home county. Kennedy noted that when the Monroe County Buc-ee’s opens in summer 2027, it will be only the fourth Buc-ee’s location in Georgia, but the second in State Senate District 18. Kennedy thanked Georgia leaders and the Georgia Department of Transportation for providing financial assistance to Monroe County for road infrastructure improvements in the Rumble Road area. Kennedy also thanked Monroe County elected officials and business leaders, saying the leadership in Monroe County could not be better.
Kennedy’s successor as District 18 Senator, Steven McNeel, said he’s looking forward to having a second Buc-ee’s within his senate district because the Warner Robins store is already overflowing with business. McNeel said Buc-ee’s has rapidly turned into an “American institution” with a beaver logo that is identifiable in the same way that Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse are.
Georgia House Rep. Dale Washburn said he frequently tells people there’s no county in Georgia with a brighter future than Monroe County. Washburn said Buc-ee’s made a great choice to locate in Monroe County and said Buc-ee’s presence will be great for Monroe County residents because Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) funds from the store will be used to reduce property taxes if Monroe Countians approve a penny FLOST in the upcoming May 19 referendum.
Georgia House Rep. Tangie Herring said economic development projects like Buc-ee’s create pathways for local families. Herring said Buc-ee’s will create several hundred jobs for Middle Georgia.
Monroe County Commission Chairman Alan Gibbs said if you’ve ever even driven past a Buc-ee’s, you know it’s a big deal to have one in Monroe County.
Chairman Gibbs said, “Buc-ee’s isn’t just a gas station. It’s a full experience.”
Development of Authority of Monroe County Vice-Chairman Jim Cole said Buc-ee’s has been taking its cue from its founder, Aplin, since the company was founded in 1982 and has branded itself as a business that gives back to local communities. Cole said Aplin established his Texas culture of thinking big as he expands Buc-ee’s nationally and said Monroe County should also “think big” in its future potential.
Aplin, the keynote speaker, said he’s appreciative of Monroe County’s support for local law enforcement and said he’s found Monroe County and the state of Georgia to be a “welcoming place.” Aplin said Buc-ee’s has had success along the I-75 corridor and said it’s no coincidence that Monroe County was chosen for a new location. Aplin thanked the Georgia Department of Transportation was its assistance and said cooperation from state DOTs is essential toward the success of a large-scale business project like this one. He also lauded the Buc-ee’s workforce, saying Buc-ee’s staffers are among the best and happiest employees in the nation.
At the conclusion of the festivities, Development Authority of Monroe County members, Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Monroe County’s state delegation, Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce Board members, and some other local officials took pictures with hard hats and shovels and moved some ceremonial dirt as part of the official groundbreaking. Attendees took photos with Bucky, the Buc-ee’s beaver mascot, and Aplin himself while also taking home numerous Buc-ee’s goodies, including the always-popular beaver nuggets.
