AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - For years after the property was bought, and the school torn down, there have been questions about when the Meijer store would open in Austintown.

There are signs that the project is moving forward 7 years after the property was purchased. 
 
Blueprints filed by Meijer with the township's zoning department show details of the 160,000 thousand square foot store planned for this site at 5680 Mahoning Avenue across from the Chick-Fil-A.
 
Trustee Monica Deavers says the store will be similar to the one in Boardman Township and offer residents more choices when shopping.
 
"That's what they're saying there will be a gas station. It's also 160,000 square feet so it's a pretty big building," Austintown Trustee Chairwoman Monica Deavers said.
 
Trustee Robert Santos says the store will benefit residents here in Austintown in several ways. 
 
"It definitely means more jobs for residents here in the local community and in regards to competitiveness," Trustee Robert Santos said.
 
Santos also told 21 News the competition will be good since it could bring prices down for consumers at a time when inflation is high and it costs more to put food on families' tables. 
 
There is no date planned yet for breaking ground.
 
"They submitted their plans to our zoning department. It's got to go through their approval process. As long as everything is done, all the I's are dotted, the T's crossed then hopefully we will see something by next year," Santos added.
 
"Everybody has been wondering where it's at, and I'm just happy to know it's one step closer and I do think our community has been waiting for this," Deavers said.