Cabela's lured to Illinois by $20 million in incentives

While Hammond officials continue to work at bringing Cabela's Inc. to the city, a tax incentive plan that could be worth as much as $20 million may give Illinois its first store by 2007.

The national hunting, fishing and outdoors merchandise retailer announced Friday it plans to open a new store in Hoffman Estates, a northwestern Chicago suburb.

In the company's press release, Village Manager Jim Norris said the village has been courting the retailer since July 2003.

In a phone interview Friday, Norris said he could not detail the specifics about the incentives offered to Cabela's because the proposal has not yet been approved by the Village Board.

However, Norris said sales tax refund incentives appear to be the best fit, primarily because the home-rule village can control that revenue stream.

"There is an understanding between the village staff and Cabela's about tax incentives that I, as village manager, am ready to recommend this to the Village Board," Norris said.

The Daily Herald newspaper in Arlington Heights reported the incentive agreement could be worth $15 million to $20 million. Norris said the range reported in that newspaper is accurate.

In Cabela's statement, the company said the new store is expected to employ as many as 400 people from the surrounding area.

Aside from the employment issue, village officials expect that the store will bolster the goal of making the area a tourist and entertainment destination.

Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod noted in the Cabela's release that the store would sit next to the 11,000-seat Sears Centre Arena, and a proposed water park and hotel.

Norris said the village has something termed "courtesy review," which means issues like tax incentives to potential businesses are outlined at the beginning stages.

So far, he said, plans are still at the conceptual level and the incentives may not be approved by the Village Board until January.