POMEROY, Ohio — Every once in awhile a rumor begins to circulate in Pomeroy, Ohio, about a new, nationally known restaurant franchise setting up shop in the village, only this time that rumor appears to have some legs.

Meigs County Economic Development Director Perry Varnadoe said though the deal isn’t done, talks are progressing towards a nationally known “retail food franchise” moving into the village. Varnadoe said talks began about a year ago and if the deal closes the new business would sit on the front parcel of the five-acre lot across from Pizza Hut, a lot currently owned by the Community Improvement Corporation.

Though Varnadoe wouldn’t say which restaurant has expressed interest in Pomeroy, he did say it is one which residents have asked for and about for several years. Varnadoe said if the “deal” is going to happen, he anticipates it will be done so in the next 90 days. Still, he stressed “it’s never done until it’s done” in the world of economic development.

Varnadoe also said his office continues to work on negotiations with a possible tenant for the East Meigs Industrial Park in Tuppers Plains. This tenant is described as having “local roots” and could provide manufacturing jobs. Varnadoe described this project as being in “advanced negotiations” and guessed a deal could be made in 60-90 days but again, “it’s never done until it’s done.”

In addition to these projects, there are other reasons to be optimistic about the local economy, according to Varnadoe, including the investment of $2 million by Family Healthcare in a new medical facility and $3 million invested in economic development in the Racine area last year.

Though he didn’t have any firm figures yet on the jobs the Pomeroy and East Meigs Industrial Park projects could bring, Varnadoe said: “Any jobs of any kind that are new to the area are very precious.”