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Muncy Township is getting a Bass Pro Shop.

The Lycoming County commissioners, business leaders and other public officials announced the planned development for the District — the former complex that housed the Lycoming Mall and surrounding businesses — at the commissioners’ meeting.

Bass Pro Shops’ corporate office also supplied a news release with more details during the meeting. Bass Pro Shops plans to open the new store in 2027 and employ 150 people, the news release said.

“This is just the beginning,” Commissioner Scott Metzger said of the “game-changing” project. “Big things are happening here.”

“It’s going to generate a lot of excitement, of enthusiasm,” Mike Dunham, CEO of Dunham Development, said at the meeting. “We’re really happy to put it in this part of the state.”

Ara Kervandjian of Famvest, developer of The District, said Bass Pro Shops is “one of the most respected and admired companies in the country.”

“They don’t just open their doors,” Kervandjian said. “They create opportunities.”

He praised the retailer for its volunteer and charitable initiatives, saying it “will play a vital role in the community.”

“It hits you in the gut — the magnitude of what’s going to happen,” state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township said. “We’re going to become a destination — we need that.”

“It’s an exciting day for Lycoming County,” state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township said. “This didn’t start yesterday. We’ve been working on this for years.”

Hamm noted the retailer could’ve gone anywhere in the country but chose to come here.

“That’s remarkable,” he said, predicting “many more announcements to come.”

Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, echoed that optimism, saying the addition will help existing businesses grow and tip the scales on others deciding to open new businesses in the region.

“We know what type of community we have,” Fink said. “We are a great area … It’s a great fit for us.”

Lycoming County Commissioner Marc Sortman thanked the company’s leadership and, alluding to skepticism over the years, defended the use of non-disclosure agreements in securing tenants.

Sortman also noted the successes of economic incentives in enticing Bass Pro Shops and reiterated that the incentives are funded through natural gas impact fees and not property tax revenue. He credited the leadership of Yaw and the late state Rep. Garth Everett, R-Muncy, in devising the structure of the state’s gas impact fees.

The development “enhances the fact that we are the gateway to the Pennsylvania Wilds,” he said. “We live it every day so, sometimes, I think we stop seeing the beauty of it.”

Metzger seconded Sortman’s acknowledgement of economic incentives’ role.

“We knew that Famvest was the developer that was the right fit for the mall,” he said.

“We were in competition with other areas” in securing the Bass Pro Shop, Metzger said, adding that the incentives helped Lycoming County “cross the finish line.”

“They’re very particular about where they go,” Metzger said, noting the company has about 160 stores nationally. “We’re honored you chose us.”

According to the corporate news release, Bass Pro Shops will break ground at the site of the former Best Buy following completion of current site planning efforts. The design approach for The District emphasizes community character, outdoor heritage, and a sense of place.

“This is the realization of two years of planning and coordination with local leaders to showcase Lycoming County as the perfect setting for a premier outdoor retailer like Bass Pro Shops,” said Jon Jahanshahi, president of Famvest Partners, according to the news release. “It represents not just a store, but a catalyst for renewed energy, economic growth, and regional pride.”