A transportation development district consisting of a future truck stop has been established, following a routine court proceeding Tuesday, Mar. 10 in Saline County Circuit Court.

Judge Josh Taylor signed off on the petition from Love’s Travel Stops to form the district that will consist of the two tracts that will soon be home to their future location at the southeast corner of the Marshall Junction. Love’s real estate project manager Barbara Peck says the Oklahoma City-based retailer is eager to expand into Saline County.

The hearing began with an opportunity for members of the public to present comments, with no one stepping forward to do so. After the petition was presented by Love’s representatives, attorneys representing Saline County and the Missouri Highways and Transportation expressed no objection to the district’s formation. Members of the Saline County Commission also attended the hearing. Peck says she anticipates the new location opening by this time next year.

The district will formally organize the morning of April 3, and with it receive the ability under state law to impose a one-percent sales tax on nonfuel purchases. The tax is expected to generate $40,000 per year in order to fund improvements to the intersection of U.S. Route 65 and 116th Trail, which will lead to the future store as well as the Saline County Welcome Center. The tax will come off the books and the district dissolved once enough revenue is raised to cover the costs of the improvements.