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McDONOUGH, GA-Ignored as a retail investment oasis until 2003, Henry County has been discovered by local, regional and national developers and merchants, but the county--30 miles southeast of Downtown Atlanta--isn't overjoyed with all of the proposed projects, including ventures by Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

In its most recent action, the county's planning commission has rejected a proposal by the Bentonville, AR-based retailer for an estimated $20-million, 203,819-sf, 30-acre store in the Ellenwood/Fairview community. Residential support for the project at a public hearing was mixed, some fighting the retailer's plans; others supporting the store.

Brokers attending the hearing tell GlobeSt.com Wal-Mart officials are banking on the full county commission to approve the project later this summer, particularly after they learn the retailer plans to invest $1.7 million on traffic improvements near Fairview Road and Cook Drive--an area one group of residents argues will be a traffic nightmare if Wal-Mart is permitted to build a store at that site.