BURLINGTON - The Westview Plaza mini-mall is not going to be considered mini anymore if expansion plans proceed on schedule.

Two new buildings- one behind and one beside the current building - is in the works and would add nine units to the current 11 located at US 52 East beside Wal Mart.

The targeted opening date is late fall, but 11 businesses have made inquiries about setting up their

business homes in available spaces, according to Westview Properties owner and Chesapeake councilman Paul E. Hart.

More important, Hart said expansion plans could create approximately 60 jobs, from low- to high-income employment.

"The best is yet to come," Hart said. "Hopefully, we'll get some bigger companies such as Reebok or Gabriel's in there. It's going to be a mall area for the county."

Bill Dingus, executive director of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation and Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce, said the news of expansion is good for the county.

"From our vantage point, this is really good," Dingus said. "When you go into an area where other shops are at capacity and, seemingly, they must be doing reasonably well because you are not seeing any kinds of levels of turnover. Based on that, I think there is room for additional expansions in that area."