GOREVILLE - Village officials and members of Remington LLC gathered Friday to celebrate the start of a $5 million development project that includes two strip malls, a medical center and a restaurant.

"This is what you would call a step forward for Goreville and a shot in the arm for the economy," said Goreville Deputy Mayor Curtis Craig.

The 8.5-acre project, spearheaded by Remington, sits in a tax increment financing district. Village Trustee Jody Johnson said the project would bring in between $150,000 and $200,000 in sales tax a year.

"That's a whole lot of money for this community," Johnson said.

The project is surrounded by Illinois 37, Pacific Union Railroad right of way and Gore Street. The location was once home to K.B.s Barbecue, which had to close because of fire damage.

Goreville business owner Helen Stokes said she believes the new businesses will do well for the NAPA Auto Parts store she owns with her husband and son.

"I think something like this will pull people into Goreville," Stokes said.

Craig said at one time, Goreville didn't have to worry too much about pulling people in because it had more businesses, including five stores, three restaurants and a drug store. He said seeing the Remington project take shape is a step back to more prosperous days.

Kimberly Shaw, one of four co-owners of Remington, said the project should be complete by next March or April with the establishment of a pharmacy.

"Let's put Goreville back on the map and let them know there's no better place to live than Goreville," Shaw said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

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