By Angela Jones
County Mayor Mark Ward scheduled a special called meeting of the County Commission to review and potentially approve a sales contract regarding the county-owned property at 190 Hwy. 641 N. in Camden, commonly known as the old Walmart property. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7.
As reported in the Oct. 20 edition of The Camden Chronicle, Aaron Ray, with NR Plan Properties in Jackson, has been looking at the property to develop as a multi-retail establishment for about three months. He has now made an offer to buy the property for a cash price of $900,000.
On Jan. 18, the County Commission voted to buy the property from the previous owner for $750,000 cash and $950,000 in tax credits (which cost the county nothing). Ray’s offer on the property will exceed what Benton County actually spent on the Old Walmart by $150,000.
On Oct. 20, the County Commission voted to authorize Ward to negotiate a sale of the old Walmart property, stipulating that the Commission would have to approve the final sale. Ward will seek that approval at the meeting set for Monday night.
