Officials with the Development Authority of Richmond County are expected to announce this morning at a news conference that outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops will locate a store in the proposed Village at Riverwatch development near the intersection of River Watch Parkway and Interstate 20.

Rumors had circulated for months that the Springfield, Mo.-based company was evaluating locations in the Augusta area, but the company would not confirm its interest in locating a store here.

The Village at Riverwatch project, originally slated to be anchored by retailers Dillard's and Belk, stalled last year after the Texas-based developers failed to line up tenants for the 170-acre site.

Reach Damon Cline at 706-823-3486 or damon.cline@augustachronicle.com