COAL GROVE - Family Dollar plans to open its Coal Grove store Jan. 15 one way or another, but the construction manager for the project hopes the village can provide the sewer and water taps that have already been paid for.

Gary Frazier, construction manager for J.W. Witten Investments, based out of Houston and Flatwoods, Ky., informed the Village Council Thursday that the 8,000 square-foot building at the intersection of State Route 243 and U.S. 52 is still not tied into the village's water and sewer systems.

Frazier told council that in June the company paid the village $2,000 - $750 for the water and $1,250 for the sewer taps - but that the lines had not been ran, though the store will still open on schedule even if the company had to do the work themselves and charge the village.

Though he said is unsure why the work had not already been completed, Mayor-Elect Larry McDaniel said council told Frazier that the village will try to do it by the first of the year.

"We are going to try," McDaniel said. "The sewer will not be a problem because it is right there."

Because of recent layoffs, running the water taps will be a little more difficult but village administrator Mark Dean said it would only take three to four days, McDaniel said.

This project has been in the works for nearly two years.

In July 2002, Witten Investments purchased 15-plus acres of property in Coal Grove. Only about four acres of the property is clear of the right-of-ways and about one and a half acres will be developed.

Site work began in May. Midwest Construction Services of Catlettsburg, Ky., is the construction manager for the project. The investment company is seeking another tenant or tenants that could use a 4,000 to 6,000 square foot building for retail space. A second building will be built after a tenant is identified.

Family Dollar stores offer a wide variety of merchandise including health and beauty aids, household goods, housewares, small electronics, school supplies, candy, snacks, food, toys, domestics, clothing and more.

The store is expected to employ seven or eight full- and part-time employees that will be hired locally.

Family Dollar Stores Inc. is a publicly-owned company that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The first store opened in 1959 but the company has grown to include 5,000 stores in 43 states, including 313 across Ohio.

In other business, council set its organizational meeting for 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, to swear in Mayor-Elect McDaniel, new council member Nick Miller and re-elected member Phil Roush. Afterwards, council will hold a special meeting to appoint a council member to fill the seat vacated by McDaniel.

&t;Received a letter from the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission stating that the village's request for $183,000 for help pay for rehabilitation of its wastewater treatment plant was not granted.

&t;Received an ordinance from American Electric Power that would renew the franchise agreement for another 50-year term. The current agreement expires April 4. Council did not take action at this time.