Bethlehem, West Virginia, will soon have a new job creating retail center.   Around 1,000 new jobs will be generated over the next five years once the new retail center, the Bethlehem Town Center, is fully constructed. The developer, S.J. “Dick” Dlesk, is now on the process of developing the 86-acre site situated along the W.Va. 88 in Bethlehem. Dlesk projects that the center will be ready for business by April 2011. As of today, the center has one business client. The Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics is scheduled to be the first business at the center as the company heads already signed a lease contract. Dlesk revealed that he is now in talks with other companies, including a major supermarket which he declined to name, to clinch the deal of investing in the project.

Dlesk also stated that the center is ideal for businesses. “It is very strategically located. The site is not only located near the Village Plaza, a commercial development that houses nearly a dozen businesses, but also in close proximity to other major highways such as Interstate 470, Interstate 70, and National Road.” Dlesk added that the average daily car count on the entire stretch of W.Va. 88 is 15,000 cars per day, based on the data of West Virginia Division of Highways. However, he said that this initial count will exceed 30,000 cars per day once the project is completed.

Bethlehem Mayor Garrett “Rhett” Daniel expressed his excitement over the project because it will surely benefit their community. “”It is a blessing to have a private investor come in and do this work in your town.” Daniel added that he expects the village council to act immediately on the permit process once members see the more detailed plans of the project.