A third Buc-ee’s travel center is coming to Alabama.

Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced that the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has awarded a $750,000 grant federally funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission to the city of Athens that will provide infrastructure necessary for a Buc-ee’s to be built off I-65 at the Browns Ferry Road exit.

This project is expected to bring 170 new jobs to Limestone County. The Athens travel center will be built on a 25-acre site and include 120 gas pumps at the 53,000-square-foot complex.

“Because of their size, Buc-ee’s Travel Centers are as much a destination as they are a quick rest stop while traveling,” stated Ivey.

Buc-ee’s original Yellowhammer State location is in Baldwin County, and the Texas-based company’s second facility opened earlier this year in Leeds.

“I am certainly glad that Buc-ee’s has found Alabama to be a good fit with three locations soon to be open in the state, and we hope more to come because of their contributions to local economies,” Ivey added. “I am pleased that these Appalachian Regional Commission funds will help open the new location and create new jobs in Limestone County.”

ARC funds will be used to supply sewer services to Buc-ee’s along with any future commerce along that exit of the interstate. The Buc-ee’s location is 5.3 miles from the Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing USA plant that is expected to hire more than 4,000 workers once in full production.

“North Alabama is to be commended for its upsurge in economic development, and Gov. Ivey and ADECA are proud to be a part of that process,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell commented. “Local leaders and so many others are to be commended for their hard work in making the area’s economic surge a reality.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn