The value of the transaction goes far beyond the jobs it willcreate or the $25 million that Kohl's plans to spend on its newproject. More important, experts say, is that the deal is the firstmajor milestone in the hard-fought effort by both San Bernardinoofficials and the private sector to convert the closed militarybase into an engine that will help power the local economy foryears to come.

Wisconsin-based Kohl's plans to build a large distributioncenter on the site is also a sign that the department-store chainhas big plans to expand in Southern California, a move that wouldprovide a much-needed boost to the retail property market acrossthe five-county Southland.

Though Kohl's officials have consistently refused to discussdetails about their expansion efforts in the region, GlobeSt.comreported earlier this year that the chain has told SoCal brokersand officials in different cities that it wants to open as many as35 stores in the area over the next two years. Its first store isalready under construction in Orange County.