There may not be a new county jail at the Ceres Industrial Park any time soon – if ever – but development is expected at the complex in the near future.

After entering into executive session with economic development director Pablo Diaz, the Warren County Board of Supervisors approved the potential sale of land at the industrial park for the creation of a Love’s Travel Stop during their Monday morning regular meeting.

Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores has more than 450 locations in 41 states with more than 20,000 employees around the country. After opening 147 new stores over the past five years, including 36 in 2017, the company is expected to open more than 40 locations in 2018.

There are currently 14 Love’s locations in Mississippi with the nearest location to Vicksburg in Tallulah.

According to Diaz, the supervisors approved the sale of 20 acres for the new development, which is a $10 million-plus investment and will potentially create up to 50 new jobs.

“The company is under contract for 150 days to do their due diligence and once that is complete, is expected to begin construction immediately,” Diaz said.

Diaz added that the travel center is expected to also have a restaurant.

The Warren County Port Commission also agreed to the development Monday and Diaz said all parties are “working on all final documentation for the project.

“A Love’s Travel Center would be a great addition to the Ceres Industrial Park, as it will accomplish a number of positive things for the park and for economic development,” Diaz said. “First, we are excited about the 50 jobs that will be added to our community and the associated investment that this project will bring to Warren County. Second, this facility will attract more people to get off the interstate and shop in Warren County, while also providing additional food and shopping options to current employees working at Ceres. And third, we believe this development will set a new pace of activity at the industrial park that will help us create more jobs and attract further investment to Warren County.”

He praised local officials for their commitment to getting this project going forward.

“The Port Commission negotiated this agreement under a very tight deadline and the deal would not have been possible without the support of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, which demonstrated a proactive and business-minded approach to a fast moving project,” Diaz said.

Steve Walters, real estate project manager for Love’s, said the company is “excited to get this underway.

“That area of Mississippi fills a nice gap for us and for professional drivers and automobile traffic that use us on a regular basis as well,” Walters said.

He said the facility will include a restaurant, as well as showers, laundry and scales for truck drivers with 12-16 automobile fueling pumps and 5-7 diesel bays for fueling.

Walters added the goal is to begin construction later this year.

“That is our goal,” Walters said.