Kierra Reed
Gadsden County News Service
A major economic development is underway in Gadsden County as Love’s Travel Center officially broke ground Wednesday on a new $25 million facility in the City of Gretna. The site, located off Interstate 10 at Exit 174, is expected to bring jobs, infrastructure improvements, and increased visibility to the small rural community.
City officials, state leaders, and representatives from Love’s gathered to celebrate the start of construction, which is expected to begin in October 2025. The store is slated to open by June 2026.
Once complete, the 12,449-square-foot facility will be the 20th Love’s location in Florida and among more than 600 nationwide across 42 states. The Gretna location will feature 121 additional truck parking spaces, showers, laundry services, a CAT scale, and full RV hookups with Wi-Fi—amenities designed to meet the needs of travelers and long-haul truck drivers alike. Inside, customers will also find two national food chains: Dunkin’ and Arby’s.
Brad Peck, Real Estate Project Manager with Love’s, said the company strategically positions its locations along key highway corridors and saw Gretna as an ideal mid-point.
“The City of Gretna was very important and willing to come alongside us, to work towards funding for infrastructure and really help facilitate Love’s coming here,” Peck said.
That local support—and the infrastructure improvements it helps enable—was central to bringing the travel center to fruition. The project represents more than a retail development; it’s a symbol of investment and opportunity for the region.
“I’m hoping that the community sees opportunity for smart growth, for some good jobs to come through the community,” said Florida State Senator Corey Simon, who was among the dignitaries present at the groundbreaking.
State Representative Gallop Franklin said the development is a clear signal that Gretna is positioning itself for long-term growth.
“It sends a message that we have the ability to make the right investments, to ensure we have the right infrastructure for companies that have the confidence to invest in this region,” Franklin said. “It means that we are doing all the right things to draw folks here, to want to invest their funds, to grow their businesses.”
Once open, the Gretna Love’s location is expected to create approximately 75 new jobs. Applications for employment will be available in early 2026 at loves.com/careers.
City Manager Antonio Jefferson said the Love’s development is part of a broader vision for Gretna, which also includes critical upgrades to the city’s water system. Just a day earlier, the city broke ground on a $2.6 million, 350,000-gallon water storage tank, an infrastructure project aimed at improving water pressure, fire protection, and long-term resilience for both residents and incoming businesses like Love’s.
