State officials, Bass Pro Shops reps meet in Indianapolis

State officials met Tuesday with representatives of Bass Pro Shops, following reports last week the sporting goods retailer is eyeing Portage as a possible site for a store.

Officials of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. took part in the meeting in Indianapolis, IEDC spokesman Weston Sedgwick said.

Sedgwick did not provide details of the meeting.

"This is just a preliminary meeting with the company," he said. "These meetings are highly confidential."

Bass Pro Shops spokesman Larry Whitely said Tuesday he knew nothing about the meeting.

Whitely confirmed last week that the Springfield, Mo.-based Bass Pro Shops had talked with people in Portage about the possibility of locating a store there. Whitely wouldn't say where in Portage.

Ameriplex at the Port, a commercial/industrial complex at Ind. 249 and Interstate 94, had been named by IEDC Director Michael Maurer in September as the Porter County site under consideration.

Ameriplex Vice President Tim Healy did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Bass Pro Shops sells hunting, fishing, boating and other outdoor sporting goods equipment in tourist attraction-type settings similar to rival Cabela's Inc.

Nebraska-based Cabela's is buying the Woodmar Country Club in Hammond as a future site for one its stores, contingent on the outcome of environmental studies. An Oct. 31 closing date is set for the sale of the property.

Hammond city officials hope to provide the kind of economic incentives that have helped other cities lure a Cabela's store. The retailer operates 13 stores nationwide and has another five planned or under construction.

Bass Pro Shops has 27 stores in 17 states.

Indiana economic development officials last month appeared to be warming to the idea of state incentives going to retailers, a previously taboo practice.

Sedgwick said the Tuesday meeting with Bass Pro Shops is not an indication state officials are "out to choose one company over the other."

The IEDC "is out to benefit the state as a whole," Sedgwick said.

Copyright © 1996-2005 nwitimes.com.