Ammon mayor addresses Costco rumors
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AMMON — If you’ve been waiting for Costco to open in Ammon or Idaho Falls, you’ll need to exercise some patience.
The big-box retailer doesn’t have plans to build in Bonneville County in the near future, according to Ammon Mayor Dana Kirkham.
“Costco is probably not coming any time soon,” Kirkham said during an interview with EastIdahoNews.com. “We had hoped they would come and thought there was potential but we’re not where we need to be with them.”
Kirkham addressed the Costco rumors during a taping of East Idaho Newsmakers, which will be posted on EastIdahoNews.com Sunday. She said she is asked nearly every day if the retailer will build in Ammon.
“In Pocatello they bought the land and own the building, so they’re a permanent resident,” Kirkham said. “They are a conservative company and are very calculated when they open stores.”
Dana Briggs, the economic development coordinator for the city of Idaho Falls, told EastIdahoNews.com Costco officials don’t feel the Idaho Falls/Ammon area can sustain a store at this time.
“Anything could change but at this point, we don’t foresee a Costco here in the next five years,” Briggs said.
When asked if the store would be welcome in Ammon, Kirkham responded, “Oh, heck yes,” and added, “If it comes to eastern Idaho, whether it’s Idaho Falls, Ammon, Iona, it’s great. If it’s good for the community, it’s good for Ammon.”
WATCH NATE EATON’S ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR DANA KIRKHAM SUNDAY ON EAST IDAHO NEWSMAKERS.