Lincoln County residents will soon reap the benefits of havingtwo more variety stores located in new areas of the county.

Dollar General, which already operates two stores in LincolnCounty and a total of 309 stores in Mississippi, is planning to addtwo new stores in the county, according to Dollar Generalofficials.

“We’re pleased to be opening two new stores in Lincoln County,”said Dollar General Corporation Media Relations Manager Emily Weisson Thursday.

While she was unsure of the opening dates of the stores, Weisssaid one store would be located in the Loyd Star community onHighway 550 while the other is slated for placement in the EastLincoln community on Caleb Drive, which is off of East Lincoln Roadnear Highway 84.

“The new stores will provide shoppers with a simple, convenientshopping experience, as well as great values,” said Weiss.

Amy Wilson, who lives in the East Lincoln community, said theaddition of stores in the communities would be great for her andothers because of the rising cost of gas.

“We live too far from Brookhaven to run there for everything,and this will be a lot more convenient,” said Wilson, who estimatedthat she lived 20 minutes away from the city.

Wilson was also excited about new jobs that would be coming withthe stores into the communities. Weiss estimated that each newstore would have six to 10 employees, which is “good news forcounty residents,” said Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber ofCommerce Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield.

“We’re excited about the addition of new jobs and the economicbenefits that will be provided to the families of those who willwork there,” he said.

Brumfield also said the placement of the new stores proves thatLincoln County’s communities have a lot to offer.

“Investments like this in our communities prove that businesseslike Dollar General find worth in Lincoln County and its ruralcommunities,” he said.