Full Breakdown
Buc-ee’s Second Ohio Travel Center Gets Green Light in Mansfield
6/5/2026, 4:27:32 AM
Development Approval and Project Overview
Mansfield City Council voted unanimously on June 2, 2026 to approve a development agreement for a 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s travel center on 37.5 acres at the I-71 and State Route 39 interchange. The project will be financed through a New Community Authority (NCA) public-private partnership, with Buc-ee’s covering an estimated $15 million in water, wastewater and traffic-improvement infrastructure.
Expansion Background
Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s has grown to more than 50 locations across 12 states, emphasizing large-format travel centers rather than traditional truck stops. The chain opened its first Ohio outlet in Huber Heights in April 2026, marking the start of a broader regional rollout that includes future sites in Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and beyond.
Key Stakeholders
- Angela Janik – Buc-ee’s project coordinator and development liaison.
- Greg Daniels – Outside counsel for Mansfield’s development agreement.
- Mayor Jodie Perry – Mansfield mayor and city-council advocate.
- Mansfield City Council – Governing body that approved the NCA plan.
- Buc-ee’s corporate – Texas-based parent company financing the infrastructure.
Timeline of Milestones
- April 2026 – First Ohio Buc-ee’s opens in Huber Heights.
- June 2, 2026 – Council unanimously adopts the NCA agreement for Mansfield.
- Q2 2028 (estimated) – Projected ribbon-cutting and opening of the Mansfield travel center.
- 2028 – Anticipated groundbreaking and construction phase, subject to final permitting.
Financial and Operational Data
The NCA imposes a 2 % surcharge on all non-fuel sales; 1.75 % of this charge returns to Buc-ee’s to recoup the $15 million infrastructure outlay, while 0.25 % remains with the city. An additional 25 % of the surcharge revenue is earmarked for local infrastructure projects. Buc-ee’s expects the site to serve roughly 100,000 customers weekly, dispense 18 million gallons of fuel annually, provide 120 fueling positions, 71 restrooms, and employ 175–225 staff at a starting wage of $18 per hour.
Economic and Community Impact
Proponents cite the creation of up to 225 jobs, increased sales-tax revenue, and the attraction of out-of-area travelers as catalysts for regional economic growth. The surcharge mechanism is designed to fund ancillary public works, reinforcing the city’s infrastructure while supporting the private developer’s investment recovery.
Official Statements & Responses
Janik emphasized that Buc-ee’s positions itself as a “family-centered travel center” rather than a conventional truck stop, highlighting the brand’s broader service model. Daniels explained that Buc-ee’s will front the entire infrastructure cost and be repaid over time through the surcharge. Mayor Perry described the development as “noticeable and strong” for the local economy, noting the higher starting wage and substantial full-time staffing. The council’s 8-0 vote reflected unanimous municipal support for the NCA arrangement.
Community Perspectives
Local residents expressed optimism. Michelle Brown said she hopes the center arrives “sooner than a few years” and will “bring a lot of business.” Cynthia Driskell praised Buc-ee’s reputation for food and amenities, noting excitement about the upcoming facility.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the projected opening window: some cite “spring 2028,” others reference “Q2 2028,” while a separate report mentions “the first quarter of 2028.” No definitive construction start date has been confirmed, leaving the exact timeline uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They're advancing all the money for the infrastructure,” — Greg Daniels, outside counsel for the development agreement
- “First and foremost, we are not a truck stop. We like to be known as a family-centered travel center,” — Angela Janik, Buc-ee’s project coordinator
- “We’ve essentially turned the industry upside down,” — Angela Janik, Buc-ee’s project coordinator
- “It doesn't reflect a normal retail development. Their starting pay is $18 an hour. They're going to hire close to 200 people full-time and close to an equivalent amount part-time,” — Mayor Jodie Perry, Mansfield
- “I hope it comes sooner than a few years, I think it'll bring a lot of business,” — Michelle Brown, Mansfield resident
Upcoming Steps
The city anticipates breaking ground in early 2028, followed by a multi-year construction phase. Upon completion, the travel center will begin operations under the NCA framework, with ongoing surcharge collections funding both the developer’s repayment and additional municipal projects.
