Parts of Knox County are seeing an increase in business as new stores like Target open their doors.
The new Target location on Northshore Drive had its official ribbon cutting ceremony 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The store said it was interested in the Northshore area because of the growth West Knox County is experiencing. Target employee Heather Lambert said the store was surprised by how many people showed up to the ribbon cutting event.
"We knew that the store was going to do well and have a nice reception in the community, but we didn't expect this kind of reception," she said.
According to the Knoxville Chamber, businesses are seeking Knox County for a number of reasons. Anthony Welsch, communications and new media coordinator for the Knoxville Chamber, said the Knox County's unemployment rate is intriguing to some businesses.
"We have a great unemployment rate here in Knox County," he said. "People that are working have money to spend."
Welsch also said the county has a population that likes to invest back into its community.
"People that live here, you ask them [about it], they love it, you hear those sorts of things," he said. "You draw more people into a community and when there are more people, there is more money to spend."
Knox County resident Bonnie Hall, who was one of the first people to enter the newly opened Target agrees.
"They know that we have the economic base here to support such development," Hall said.
Other stores that are slated to open in West Knox County over the next two months include Chuy's, Cheddars, Publix, Trader Joe's and Kroger.