County officials indicated on Wednesday they will pay up to $1 million in improvements at the I-75 Exit 1 at East Ridge.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said it is a good investment for the county that should pay for itself in new tax collections in 2-4 years.
A new $25 million Bass Pro Shop will be the centerpiece of the new Jordan Crossing at the entrance to Camp Jordan Park. It will have over 200 employees.
The Bass Pro Shop is expected to open next year in late spring or early summer.
The county, state and East Ridge are providing a total of $3 million for widening Camp Jordan Parkway from two lanes to four lanes and improving Exit 1.
Rep. Marc Gravitt, who is also the East Ridge vice mayor, said the freeway exit changes will include improving access for those coming from the north on I-75 and getting off at East Ridge.
He said other improvements will be made to the exit, which he said was poorly designed in the first place.
The county will provide up to $500,000 this fiscal year for the first phase of the work - Camp Jordan Parkway, and up to $500,000 the next fiscal year for the I-75 exit work.
Mayor Brent Lambert said an engineering firm examined the projected costs and TDOT looked at the numbers. He said the work should be covered by the $3 million.