ROBSTOWN - After years of talking but not much doing, the Outlets at Corpus Christi Bay are finally back on track. Today we found out what factors helped get things moving.

76 acres of land near Highway 77 and Highway 44, near the County Fairgrounds in Robstown will soon be home to 290,000 square feet of shopping.

Talks about the outlet mall began in 2007, but the economic downturn stalled the project.

Up to this point, the two sides have only had a preliminary development agreement. But County Judge Loyd Neal said today he and Dolphin Ventures have now worked out all the details.

But after five years of discussion, what finally made this a reality?

Manager of Dolphin Ventures Rick Carduner says, "The economy has improved tremendously over the past year. I think we have all seen that. Coupled with the booming economy of South Texas thanks to the Eagle Ford Shale."

With the boom comes more residents, more jobs, and more money.

Carduner says, "there's more people working in South Texas, therefore there are more people shopping and spending money in South Texas."

According to Dolphin Ventures Brooks Brothers, Puma, and Guess have already committed to leasing space at the outlet mall. 69 other tenants are expected, and 34 of them have already approved their site.

Carduner says, "Many of the outlet tenants already have locations here in Corpus Christi and their sales are up 40% over the last couple of years. So they know first hand how dynamic this market has become."

Carduner says the ground breaking is set for Spring 2013 and the opening of the outlets will be in the summer of 2014.