The new Big Lots store in Gloucester is an important addition to the county’s business community, several officials said Friday.

Prior to the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new store, located at Shoppes of Gloucester off Route 17, supervisors Bobby Crewe and Gregory Woodard said that Big Lots will bring much-needed jobs and tax revenues to Gloucester. "It will definitely help our tax base," Crewe said.

"It’s great that Big Lots opened a store here," Woodard said, adding that the additional tax revenues are important to Gloucester.

"I think the store will be a great addition," supervisors chairman Buddy Rilee said.

Douglas Meredith, Gloucester’s economic development director, said that the county gains tax revenues when a large store like Big Lots opens, as well as providing good jobs with benefits to its workers.

"This is a positive thing," Meredith said of the new store.

Big Lots employs about...