Whether you call it an experiment in government-assisted development or the natural progression of successful growth, the most ambitious retail venture ever in Washington County is scheduled to launch Friday with a bang.

An estimated 75,000 people are expected to turn out for the grand opening of the Tanger Factory Outlet Center in South Strabane.

The Tanger -- rhymes with hanger -- facility is on a plateau across Racetrack Road from The Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Visitors will find 75 outlet stores, former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis, and a fall festival, featuring a giant Ferris wheel, other rides and prizes.

More than two million cubic yards of dirt were moved to prepare the site during the last year, and tons of concrete continued to be poured, even as last-minute preparations were under way last week.

"It's hard to believe how much happens in one day here," said general manager Frank Salucci, standing near an empty patch of dirt being filled in by landscapers to complete the "English garden" theme.

The pastel-painted storefronts and colonial-style architecture are meant to impart the look of old-fashioned Pennsylvania carriage homes with numerous courtyards, greenery and benches.

At about 370,000 square feet, the $90 million project is expected to create about 800 retail management and sales jobs, along with the estimated 300 union jobs already created during construction.

If the launch of The Meadows slots casino last summer is any guide, the center's opening should be a booming success. The casino has consistently outpaced even the rosiest attendance predictions since its opening in June 2007.

The outlet mall and what planners hope will soon include a Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World, constitute most of Victory Centre, an ambitious and controversial project made possible through government concessions.

To get the 330-acre site developed, local government entities several years ago agreed to a tax increment financing plan, by which real estate taxes would be diverted to help pay for major infrastructure improvements.

In this case, that included about $1 million to relocate a power line, along with other extraordinary costs, including sewage lines and the widening of Racetrack Road.

The tax abatement plan drew opposition from those who felt development should move at its own pace, and resulted in a lawsuit and ongoing legal battle with a group of citizens, who have so far been unsuccessful in upsetting the project.

Opponents also have questioned what will happen if Bass Pro Shops backs off its pledge to build a superstore at the site, or if either project goes belly up before the costly improvements can be paid for. Hotels and other businesses are also planned for the location.

South Strabane Manager John Stickle said that although Bass Pro Shops has delayed its project -- no construction has yet to be done -- plans are still in the works for the super center once an intersection overhaul is completed at the Meadowlands exit off Interstate 79.

Tanger, based in Greensboro, N.C., operates 31 other outlet malls in 22 states, including one in Lancaster County. The company made it clear several years ago that it would not commit to the project without the tax incentives.

County Commissioner Chairman Larry Maggi said last week developers have been eyeing the site just across the border of North Strabane since The Meadows Racetrack was opened more than 40 years ago.

But the steep grade of the land, along with other challenges made development unfeasible.

"It took a little government intervention to make that happen," said Mr. Maggi. "I think it was the right move at the right time."

Mr. Maggi said the outlet mall was the source of major buzz during a recent meeting he had with other county commissioners in Harrisburg.

"It's a destination spot where people will want to come to," he said.

Mr. Maggi and other officials are banking on data that shows that more than 50 percent of outlet visitors travel more than 50 miles to shop.

The nearest outlet mall is the Prime Outlets at Grove City, Mercer County -- about 75 miles north of Victory Centre.

Mr. Maggi and others are hoping shoppers also find their way to The Meadows slots parlor, along with the new hotels and restaurants that are popping up in the area. The Tanger site also consists of several parcels that could be used by restaurants or other venues.

Tanger is predicting about 4.5 million visitors annually, and expects the outlet mall to eventually generate about $1.2 million in property tax revenues annually for South Strabane, the county, and Trinity Area School District.

For now, South Strabane will receive annual payments of $125,000 to cover the cost of additional police, fire and other public safety services.

Police from South Strabane and North Strabane will direct traffic at the site for the grand opening next weekend and for several weekends afterward, Mr. Stickle said.

"We don't want to have traffic backing up on the interstate," he said.

The mall will employ its own security force and pay the municipalities for police services used in the opening days.

Roadwork, including new traffic signals and lanes on Racetrack Road, are expected to be wrapped up soon, Mr. Stickle said.

Festivities at the outlet mall are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a visit from Mr. Bettis at 12:30 p.m.

A sidewalk sale and fireworks display are planned for Saturday. Rides and prizes will continue through Labor Day weekend.

For more information, visit www.tangeroutlet.com.