Costco Cancels Plan for Cranston Location; Issue Becomes a Political Battle

Costco Cancels Plan for Cranston Location; Issue Becomes a Political Battle

Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins said on Wednesday that he took issue with the political tactics of State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton Fung “to detract from Cranston's economic development opportunities.”

Fenton-Fung announced that she is going to primary Hopkins in the Republican primary for Mayor.

Cranston officials have confirmed that the big box store has canceled its plan to build a warehouse store in the city.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

The loss of Costco is a blow to Hopkins.

Political Battle

Hopkins is firing back at Fenton-Fung's charges.

"Last night, my opponent unveiled her campaign and showed her uninformed inexperience in recruiting national retailers and major corporations to Cranston as woefully inadequate."

Hopkins said about the decision by Costco to cancel the Cranston plans. "National companies prefer to undertake planned expansions and developments quietly and with a clear understanding of a host community's development standards and ordinances." We welcome companies like Costco and understand their business reasons on why they do not confirm news or announcements until they are ready."

Hopkins said, "Mrs. Fenton-Fung would prefer to try and score political points rather than support my efforts to expand the commercial and industrial tax base." "It really is sad that she chooses her political interest over the public interest."

Hopkins said, "Less than 24 hours into her campaign, it looks clear we will need a Fenton-Fung Fact Checker."